Is private school cheaper in Cary or Raleigh?

Cary has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cary is $1,500/year less than Raleigh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $8,200/year in Raleigh.

How do Cary and Raleigh 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). Raleigh averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Raleigh

Cary averages $1,500/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Cary is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Raleigh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$13,000/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$8,200/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$24,500/yr	-$400
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$10,600/yr	-$800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$13,000/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$16,000/yr	-$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Raleigh

$169,000

Choosing Cary saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Raleigh

Ravenscroft School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Raleigh Charter High School

Charter (Free) · 9–12

Full Cary breakdown → Full Raleigh breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs

Related Comparisons

Raleigh vs Charlotte → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.