Is private school cheaper in Grand Rapids or Tulsa?

Tulsa has lower average private school tuition at $7,000/year vs $9,300/year in Grand Rapids. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tulsa is $2,300/year less than Grand Rapids. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,400/year in Grand Rapids, $5,100/year in Tulsa.

How do Grand Rapids and Tulsa 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). Tulsa averages $7,000/year ($5,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Grand Rapids vs Tulsa

Tulsa averages $2,300/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Tulsa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,000/year vs $9,300/year in Grand Rapids. Religious schools run $5,100/year on the low end.

Grand Rapids

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Tulsa

$7,000

avg tuition/year

$5,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Grand Rapids	Tulsa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,300/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,300
Religious Schools	$6,400/yr	$5,100/yr	+$1,300
Independent/Prep	$19,800/yr	$14,500/yr	+$5,300
Elementary (K-5)	$7,900/yr	$6,000/yr	+$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$9,300/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,300
High School (9-12)	$11,200/yr	$8,400/yr	+$2,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Grand Rapids

$120,900

Tulsa

$91,000

Choosing Tulsa saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

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

Tulsa

Holland Hall (Tulsa)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Bishop Kelley High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Full Grand Rapids breakdown → Full Tulsa breakdown →

Michigan private school costs Oklahoma 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.