Is private school cheaper in Lansing or Springfield?

Lansing has lower average private school tuition at $8,500/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $14,000/year less, or $182,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lansing over Springfield?

Average tuition in Lansing is $14,000/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $182,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Lansing, $12,200/year in Springfield.

How do Lansing and Springfield private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lansing averages $8,500/year ($3,850 below average). Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Lansing vs Springfield

Lansing averages $14,000/year less for private school (165% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $182,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Lansing is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,500/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Lansing

$8,500

avg tuition/year

$3,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lansing	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,500/yr	$22,500/yr	-$14,000
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$12,200/yr	-$6,300
Independent/Prep	$18,200/yr	$45,800/yr	-$27,600
Elementary (K-5)	$7,200/yr	$19,100/yr	-$11,900
Middle School (6-8)	$8,500/yr	$22,500/yr	-$14,000
High School (9-12)	$10,200/yr	$27,000/yr	-$16,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lansing

$110,500

Springfield

$292,500

Choosing Lansing saves $182,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $364,000.

Sample Schools

Lansing

Lansing Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Potter's House Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Lansing breakdown → Full Springfield 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.