Is private school cheaper in Riverside or Sterling Heights?

Sterling Heights has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $5,600/year less, or $72,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Sterling Heights over Riverside?

Average tuition in Sterling Heights is $5,600/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $72,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,700/year in Riverside, $6,400/year in Sterling Heights.

How do Riverside and Sterling Heights private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average). Sterling Heights averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Riverside vs Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights averages $5,600/year less for private school (60% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $72,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Sterling Heights is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Sterling Heights

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Riverside	Sterling Heights	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,900/yr	$9,300/yr	+$5,600
Religious Schools	$9,700/yr	$6,400/yr	+$3,300
Independent/Prep	$29,000/yr	$19,800/yr	+$9,200
Elementary (K-5)	$12,700/yr	$7,900/yr	+$4,800
Middle School (6-8)	$14,900/yr	$9,300/yr	+$5,600
High School (9-12)	$17,900/yr	$11,200/yr	+$6,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Riverside

$193,700

Sterling Heights

$120,900

Choosing Sterling Heights saves $72,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $145,600.

Sample Schools

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/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

Full Riverside breakdown → Full Sterling Heights breakdown →

California private school costs Michigan 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.