Is private school cheaper in Cary or Fresno?

Fresno has lower average private school tuition at $10,500/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

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

How do Cary and Fresno 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). Fresno averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Fresno

Fresno averages $1,000/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Fresno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,500/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

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Fresno	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$10,500/yr	+$1,000
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$7,000/yr	+$1,100
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$19,500/yr	+$4,600
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$8,600/yr	+$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$10,500/yr	+$1,000
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$12,900/yr	+$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Fresno

$136,500

Choosing Fresno saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Fresno

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$10,800/yr

Central High School (Fresno) (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Bullard Talent School

Magnet (Free) · K–8

Fresno Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$11,400/yr

Full Cary breakdown → Full Fresno breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs California 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.