Is private school cheaper in Detroit or St. Louis?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Detroit over St. Louis?

Average tuition in Detroit is $1,500/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

How do Detroit and St. Louis private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Detroit averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs St. Louis

Detroit averages $1,500/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$13,000/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$8,400/yr	-$800
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$24,500/yr	-$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$10,600/yr	-$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$13,000/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$16,000/yr	-$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing Detroit saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Detroit

Cranbrook Kingswood School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,200-$36,800/yr

University of Detroit Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Brother Rice High School (Detroit)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Mercy High School (Farmington Hills)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

St. Louis

John Burroughs School

Independent · 7–12 · $28,400-$30,800/yr

MICDS (Mary Institute and Country Day School)

Independent · JK–12 · $30,200-$32,800/yr

Chaminade College Preparatory

Catholic · 6–12 · $16,800/yr

St. Louis University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Missouri private school costs

About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.