Is private school cheaper in Springfield or Sterling Heights?

Sterling Heights has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $13,200/year less, or $171,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sterling Heights is $13,200/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $171,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,200/year in Springfield, $6,400/year in Sterling Heights.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average). Sterling Heights averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Springfield vs Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights averages $13,200/year less for private school (142% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $171,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Sterling Heights is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Sterling Heights

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Springfield	Sterling Heights	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$22,500/yr	$9,300/yr	+$13,200
Religious Schools	$12,200/yr	$6,400/yr	+$5,800
Independent/Prep	$45,800/yr	$19,800/yr	+$26,000
Elementary (K-5)	$19,100/yr	$7,900/yr	+$11,200
Middle School (6-8)	$22,500/yr	$9,300/yr	+$13,200
High School (9-12)	$27,000/yr	$11,200/yr	+$15,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Springfield

$292,500

Sterling Heights

$120,900

Choosing Sterling Heights saves $171,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $343,200.

Sample Schools

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/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 Springfield breakdown → Full Sterling Heights breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.