Is private school cheaper in Cary or Peoria?

Peoria has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Peoria is $1,800/year less than Cary. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $7,300/year in Peoria.

How do Cary and Peoria 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). Peoria averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Peoria

Peoria averages $1,800/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Peoria is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. Religious schools run $7,300/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Peoria

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Peoria	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$9,700/yr	+$1,800
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$7,300/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$18,500/yr	+$5,600
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$8,200/yr	+$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$9,700/yr	+$1,800
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$11,600/yr	+$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Peoria

$126,100

Choosing Peoria saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Peoria

Sandra Day O'Connor Prep (Peoria)

Independent · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Deer Valley Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Full Cary breakdown → Full Peoria breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Arizona 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.