Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Washington DC?

Detroit has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $16,900/year less, or $219,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Detroit is $16,900/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $219,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Detroit and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Washington DC

Detroit averages $16,900/year less for private school (147% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $219,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Detroit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$28,400/yr	-$16,900
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$15,200/yr	-$7,600
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$46,000/yr	-$24,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$23,000/yr	-$13,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$28,400/yr	-$16,900
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$35,500/yr	-$21,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Detroit saves $219,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $439,400.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Detroit breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Michigan private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.