Is private school cheaper in Carlsbad or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $18,800/year in Carlsbad. That's $8,800/year less, or $114,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $8,800/year less than Carlsbad. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $114,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,200/year in Carlsbad, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Carlsbad averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Carlsbad vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $8,800/year less for private school (88% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $114,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $18,800/year in Carlsbad. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Carlsbad

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Carlsbad	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$10,000/yr	+$8,800
Religious Schools	$12,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$5,100
Independent/Prep	$36,600/yr	$21,100/yr	+$15,500
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$8,500/yr	+$7,500
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$10,000/yr	+$8,800
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$12,000/yr	+$10,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Carlsbad

$244,400

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $114,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $228,800.

Sample Schools

Carlsbad

Army Navy Academy (Carlsbad)

Independent (Military) · 7–12 · $47,500-$52,000/yr

Pacific Ridge School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,200/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Carlsbad breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

California 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.