Is private school cheaper in Abilene or Raleigh?

Abilene has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. That's $3,300/year less, or $42,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Abilene over Raleigh?

Average tuition in Abilene is $3,300/year less than Raleigh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $42,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Abilene, $8,200/year in Raleigh.

How do Abilene and Raleigh private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Abilene averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average). Raleigh averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Abilene vs Raleigh

Abilene averages $3,300/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $42,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Abilene is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Abilene

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Abilene	Raleigh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$13,000/yr	-$3,300
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$8,200/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$20,600/yr	$24,500/yr	-$3,900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$10,600/yr	-$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$13,000/yr	-$3,300
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$16,000/yr	-$4,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Abilene

$126,100

Raleigh

$169,000

Choosing Abilene saves $42,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $85,800.

Sample Schools

Abilene

Wylie Academy (Abilene)

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

St. Joseph School (Abilene)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,400-$9,000/yr

Raleigh

Ravenscroft School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Raleigh Charter High School

Charter (Free) · 9–12

Full Abilene breakdown → Full Raleigh breakdown →

Texas private school costs North Carolina private school costs

Related Comparisons

Raleigh vs Charlotte → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.