Is private school cheaper in Akron or Wilmington?

Akron has lower average private school tuition at $8,400/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Akron over Wilmington?

Average tuition in Akron is $1,600/year less than Wilmington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Akron, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

How do Akron and Wilmington private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Akron averages $8,400/year ($3,950 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Akron vs Wilmington

Akron averages $1,600/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Akron is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,400/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Akron

$8,400

avg tuition/year

$3,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Akron	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,400/yr	$10,000/yr	-$1,600
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$7,100/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$21,100/yr	-$1,600
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$8,500/yr	-$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,400/yr	$10,000/yr	-$1,600
High School (9-12)	$10,100/yr	$12,000/yr	-$1,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Akron

$109,200

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Akron saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

Sample Schools

Akron

Walsh Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Firestone CLC Academy (Akron)

Independent · K–12 · $10,800/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Akron breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Ohio private school costs North Carolina 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.