Is private school cheaper in Grand Rapids or Providence?

Grand Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $12,700/year less, or $165,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Grand Rapids is $12,700/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $165,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,400/year in Grand Rapids, $12,400/year in Providence.

How do Grand Rapids and Providence 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). Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Grand Rapids vs Providence

Grand Rapids averages $12,700/year less for private school (137% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $165,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Grand Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Grand Rapids

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Grand Rapids	Providence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,300/yr	$22,000/yr	-$12,700
Religious Schools	$6,400/yr	$12,400/yr	-$6,000
Independent/Prep	$19,800/yr	$36,000/yr	-$16,200
Elementary (K-5)	$7,900/yr	$18,000/yr	-$10,100
Middle School (6-8)	$9,300/yr	$22,000/yr	-$12,700
High School (9-12)	$11,200/yr	$27,500/yr	-$16,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Grand Rapids

$120,900

Providence

$286,000

Choosing Grand Rapids saves $165,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $330,200.

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

Providence

Moses Brown School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Grand Rapids breakdown → Full Providence breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Rhode Island 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.