Is private school cheaper in Athens or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $10,100/year in Athens. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $100/year less than Athens. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Athens, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Athens averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Athens vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $10,100/year in Athens. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Athens

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Athens	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$10,000/yr	+$100
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$7,100/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$21,100/yr	-$600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$8,500/yr	+$100
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$10,000/yr	+$100
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$12,000/yr	+$100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Athens

$131,300

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

Sample Schools

Athens

Athens Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Prince Avenue Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Athens breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

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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.