Is private school cheaper in Cary or College Station?

College Station has lower average private school tuition at $10,300/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in College Station is $1,200/year less than Cary. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $7,000/year in College Station.

How do Cary and College Station 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). College Station averages $10,300/year ($2,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs College Station

College Station averages $1,200/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

College Station is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,300/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

College Station

$10,300

avg tuition/year

$2,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	College Station	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$10,300/yr	+$1,200
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$7,000/yr	+$1,100
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$21,800/yr	+$2,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$8,800/yr	+$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$10,300/yr	+$1,200
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$12,400/yr	+$1,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

College Station

$133,900

Choosing College Station saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

College Station

College Station Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $9,400-$11,400/yr

Brazos Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Full Cary breakdown → Full College Station breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Texas 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.