Is private school cheaper in Cary or Cincinnati?

Cary has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cary is $300/year less than Cincinnati. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $7,600/year in Cincinnati.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cary averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Cincinnati averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Cincinnati

Cary averages $300/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Cary is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Cincinnati

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Cincinnati	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$11,800/yr	-$300
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$7,600/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$22,000/yr	+$2,100
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$9,600/yr	+$200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$11,800/yr	-$300
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$14,600/yr	-$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Cincinnati

$153,400

Choosing Cary saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Cincinnati

Cincinnati Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,400-$26,800/yr

Seven Hills School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Moeller High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Elder High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Cary breakdown → Full Cincinnati breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Ohio private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.