PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Cary vs Denver

Cary averages $4,900/year less for private school (43% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Cary is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Cary

NC

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg
Lower cost

Denver

CO

$16,400

avg tuition/year

$4,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Cary Denver Difference
All Schools (Average) $11,500/yr $16,400/yr -$4,900
Religious Schools $8,100/yr $9,800/yr -$1,700
Independent/Prep $24,100/yr $28,500/yr -$4,400
Elementary (K-5) $9,800/yr $13,500/yr -$3,700
Middle School (6-8) $11,500/yr $16,400/yr -$4,900
High School (9-12) $13,800/yr $20,200/yr -$6,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Denver

$213,200

Choosing Cary saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Denver

Kent Denver School

Independent · 6–12 · $35,200-$37,800/yr

Colorado Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $33,800-$36,400/yr

Regis Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Mullen High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

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.