Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Tacoma?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $2,200/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Detroit and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Tacoma

Detroit averages $2,200/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$13,700/yr	-$2,200
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,800
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$29,400/yr	-$7,900
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$11,600/yr	-$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$13,700/yr	-$2,200
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$16,400/yr	-$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Detroit saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

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

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Washington 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.