Private School Cost: Hartford vs Sterling Heights
Sterling Heights averages $18,700/year less for private school (201% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $243,100 per child.
Bottom Line
Sterling Heights is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.
Hartford
CT
$28,000
avg tuition/year
Sterling Heights
MI
$9,300
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Hartford | Sterling Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $28,000/yr | $9,300/yr | +$18,700 |
| Religious Schools | $15,800/yr | $6,400/yr | +$9,400 |
| Independent/Prep | $44,500/yr | $19,800/yr | +$24,700 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $22,800/yr | $7,900/yr | +$14,900 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $28,000/yr | $9,300/yr | +$18,700 |
| High School (9-12) | $35,000/yr | $11,200/yr | +$23,800 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Hartford
$364,000
Sterling Heights
$120,900
Choosing Sterling Heights saves $243,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $486,200.
Sample Schools
Hartford
Kingswood Oxford School
Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr
Loomis Chaffee School
Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr
Watkinson School
Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr
Northwest Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr
Sterling Heights
De La Salle Collegiate High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $11,800/yr
Utica Community Christian Schools
Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr
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.