Is private school cheaper in Atlanta or Cary?

Cary has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $15,200/year in Atlanta. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cary is $3,700/year less than Atlanta. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Atlanta, $8,100/year in Cary.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Atlanta averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average). Cary averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Atlanta vs Cary

Cary averages $3,700/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Cary is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $15,200/year in Atlanta. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Atlanta

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Atlanta	Cary	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$11,500/yr	+$3,700
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$8,100/yr	+$1,300
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$24,100/yr	+$4,400
Elementary (K-5)	$12,500/yr	$9,800/yr	+$2,700
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$11,500/yr	+$3,700
High School (9-12)	$18,800/yr	$13,800/yr	+$5,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Atlanta

$197,600

Cary

$149,500

Choosing Cary saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Atlanta

The Westminster Schools

Independent · 1–12 · $35,800-$38,400/yr

Pace Academy

Independent · K–12 · $34,200/yr

Lovett School

Independent · K–12 · $33,600/yr

Marist School Atlanta

Catholic · 7–12 · $19,400/yr

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Full Atlanta breakdown → Full Cary breakdown →

Georgia private school costs North Carolina private school costs

Related Comparisons

Atlanta vs Charlotte → Nashville vs Atlanta → Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.