Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Cary?

Cary has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cary over Anchorage?

Average tuition in Cary is $400/year less than Anchorage. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $8,100/year in Cary.

How do Anchorage and Cary private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Anchorage averages $11,900/year ($450 below average). Cary averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Cary

Cary averages $400/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Cary is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. Religious schools run $7,900/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Cary	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$11,500/yr	+$400
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$8,100/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$24,100/yr	-$2,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$9,800/yr	+$300
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$11,500/yr	+$400
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$13,800/yr	+$500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Cary

$149,500

Choosing Cary saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full Cary breakdown →

Alaska 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.