Is private school cheaper in Grand Rapids or Lowell?

Grand Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $14,300/year less, or $185,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Grand Rapids over Lowell?

Average tuition in Grand Rapids is $14,300/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $185,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,400/year in Grand Rapids, $12,800/year in Lowell.

How do Grand Rapids and Lowell private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Grand Rapids averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Grand Rapids vs Lowell

Grand Rapids averages $14,300/year less for private school (154% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $185,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Grand Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Grand Rapids

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Grand Rapids	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,300/yr	$23,600/yr	-$14,300
Religious Schools	$6,400/yr	$12,800/yr	-$6,400
Independent/Prep	$19,800/yr	$48,100/yr	-$28,300
Elementary (K-5)	$7,900/yr	$20,100/yr	-$12,200
Middle School (6-8)	$9,300/yr	$23,600/yr	-$14,300
High School (9-12)	$11,200/yr	$28,300/yr	-$17,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Grand Rapids

$120,900

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Grand Rapids saves $185,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $371,800.

Sample Schools

Grand Rapids

West Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,400/yr

Christian High School (Grand Rapids)

Christian · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Northpointe Christian Schools

Christian · PK–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Grand Rapids breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Massachusetts 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.