Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Fayetteville
Fayetteville averages $23,000/year less for private school (256% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $299,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Fayetteville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,000/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.
Cambridge
MA
$32,000
avg tuition/year
Fayetteville
NC
$9,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Cambridge | Fayetteville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $32,000/yr | $9,000/yr | +$23,000 |
| Religious Schools | $17,300/yr | $6,300/yr | +$11,000 |
| Independent/Prep | $65,000/yr | $18,900/yr | +$46,100 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $27,200/yr | $7,700/yr | +$19,500 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $32,000/yr | $9,000/yr | +$23,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $38,400/yr | $10,800/yr | +$27,600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Cambridge
$416,000
Fayetteville
$117,000
Choosing Fayetteville saves $299,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $598,000.
Sample Schools
Cambridge
Cambridge School of Weston
Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr
Fayetteville
Cape Fear Academy (Wilmington)
Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr
Fayetteville Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr
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.