Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Sunnyvale?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $10,100/year less, or $131,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Detroit over Sunnyvale?

Average tuition in Detroit is $10,100/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $131,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $14,100/year in Sunnyvale.

How do Detroit and Sunnyvale 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). Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Sunnyvale

Detroit averages $10,100/year less for private school (88% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $131,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Sunnyvale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$21,600/yr	-$10,100
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$14,100/yr	-$6,500
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$42,100/yr	-$20,600
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$18,400/yr	-$9,000
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$21,600/yr	-$10,100
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$25,900/yr	-$11,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Choosing Detroit saves $131,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $262,600.

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

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Sunnyvale breakdown →

Michigan private school costs California 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.