Is private school cheaper in Lansing or Stockton?

Lansing has lower average private school tuition at $8,500/year vs $13,800/year in Stockton. That's $5,300/year less, or $68,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lansing is $5,300/year less than Stockton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $68,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,900/year in Lansing, $9,000/year in Stockton.

How do Lansing and Stockton 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). Stockton averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Lansing vs Stockton

Lansing averages $5,300/year less for private school (62% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $68,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Lansing is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,500/year vs $13,800/year in Stockton. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Lansing

$8,500

avg tuition/year

$3,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Stockton

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lansing	Stockton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,500/yr	$13,800/yr	-$5,300
Religious Schools	$5,900/yr	$9,000/yr	-$3,100
Independent/Prep	$18,200/yr	$26,800/yr	-$8,600
Elementary (K-5)	$7,200/yr	$11,700/yr	-$4,500
Middle School (6-8)	$8,500/yr	$13,800/yr	-$5,300
High School (9-12)	$10,200/yr	$16,600/yr	-$6,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lansing

$110,500

Stockton

$179,400

Choosing Lansing saves $68,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $137,800.

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

Stockton

St. Mary's High School (Stockton)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Stockton Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $8,600-$10,200/yr

Full Lansing breakdown → Full Stockton breakdown →

Michigan private school costs California 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.