Is private school cheaper in Cary or Lakeland?

Lakeland has lower average private school tuition at $9,600/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. That's $1,900/year less, or $24,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lakeland is $1,900/year less than Cary. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $24,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $6,600/year in Lakeland.

How do Cary and Lakeland 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). Lakeland averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Lakeland

Lakeland averages $1,900/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $24,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Lakeland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lakeland

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Lakeland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$9,600/yr	+$1,900
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$6,600/yr	+$1,500
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$19,800/yr	+$4,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$8,200/yr	+$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$9,600/yr	+$1,900
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$11,500/yr	+$2,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Lakeland

$124,800

Choosing Lakeland saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Lakeland

All Saints Academy (Lakeland)

Catholic · PK–12 · $13,800/yr

Victory Christian School (Lakeland)

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Cary breakdown → Full Lakeland breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Florida 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.