Is private school cheaper in Cary or Paterson?

Cary has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $6,600/year less, or $85,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cary is $6,600/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $85,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $11,700/year in Paterson.

How do Cary and Paterson 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). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Paterson

Cary averages $6,600/year less for private school (57% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $85,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Cary is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$18,100/yr	-$6,600
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$11,700/yr	-$3,600
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$38,700/yr	-$14,600
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$15,400/yr	-$5,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$18,100/yr	-$6,600
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$21,700/yr	-$7,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Cary saves $85,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $171,600.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Full Cary breakdown → Full Paterson breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs New Jersey 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.