Is private school cheaper in Cary or Orlando?

Orlando has lower average private school tuition at $11,000/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Orlando is $500/year less than Cary. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $7,600/year in Orlando.

How do Cary and Orlando 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). Orlando averages $11,000/year ($1,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Orlando

Orlando averages $500/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Orlando is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,000/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Orlando

$11,000

avg tuition/year

$1,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Orlando	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$11,000/yr	+$500
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$7,600/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$22,600/yr	+$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$9,400/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$11,000/yr	+$500
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$13,200/yr	+$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Orlando

$143,000

Choosing Orlando saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Orlando

The First Academy (Orlando)

Christian · PK–12 · $16,800/yr

Lake Highland Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $23,400/yr

Bishop Moore Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Cary breakdown → Full Orlando 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.