Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Raleigh
Raleigh averages $19,000/year less for private school (146% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $247,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Raleigh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.
Cambridge
MA
$32,000
avg tuition/year
Raleigh
NC
$13,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Cambridge | Raleigh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $32,000/yr | $13,000/yr | +$19,000 |
| Religious Schools | $17,300/yr | $8,200/yr | +$9,100 |
| Independent/Prep | $65,000/yr | $24,500/yr | +$40,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $27,200/yr | $10,600/yr | +$16,600 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $32,000/yr | $13,000/yr | +$19,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $38,400/yr | $16,000/yr | +$22,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Cambridge
$416,000
Raleigh
$169,000
Choosing Raleigh saves $247,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $494,000.
Sample Schools
Cambridge
Cambridge School of Weston
Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr
Raleigh
Ravenscroft School
Independent · PK–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr
Cardinal Gibbons High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr
Cary Academy
Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr
Raleigh Charter High School
Charter (Free) · 9–12
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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.