Is private school cheaper in Cary or Nashville?

Cary has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cary is $2,700/year less than Nashville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $8,800/year in Nashville.

How do Cary and Nashville 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). Nashville averages $14,200/year ($1,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Nashville

Cary averages $2,700/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Cary is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Nashville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$14,200/yr	-$2,700
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$8,800/yr	-$700
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$26,500/yr	-$2,400
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$11,600/yr	-$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$14,200/yr	-$2,700
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$17,500/yr	-$3,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Nashville

$184,600

Choosing Cary saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Nashville

Montgomery Bell Academy

Independent · 7–12 · $29,400/yr

Harpeth Hall School

Independent · 5–12 · $28,800/yr

University School of Nashville

Independent · K–12 · $26,200/yr

Father Ryan High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Full Cary breakdown → Full Nashville breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Tennessee private school costs

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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.