Is private school cheaper in Cary or Dallas?

Cary has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. That's $5,700/year less, or $74,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cary is $5,700/year less than Dallas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $74,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $9,500/year in Dallas.

How do Cary and Dallas 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). Dallas averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Dallas

Cary averages $5,700/year less for private school (50% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $74,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Cary is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Dallas	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$17,200/yr	-$5,700
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$9,500/yr	-$1,400
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$30,000/yr	-$5,900
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$14,000/yr	-$4,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$17,200/yr	-$5,700
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$21,000/yr	-$7,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Dallas

$223,600

Choosing Cary saves $74,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $148,200.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Dallas

Greenhill School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

St. Mark's School of Texas

Independent · 1–12 · $38,200/yr

Hockaday School

Independent · PK–12 · $39,800/yr

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,800/yr

Full Cary breakdown → Full Dallas breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Dallas vs Austin → Dallas vs San Antonio → Fort Worth vs Dallas →

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.