Is private school cheaper in Cary or Richmond?

Cary has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $3,000/year less, or $39,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cary is $3,000/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $39,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Cary and Richmond 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). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Richmond

Cary averages $3,000/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $39,000 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$14,500/yr	-$3,000
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$9,200/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$27,000/yr	-$2,900
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$11,800/yr	-$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$14,500/yr	-$3,000
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$18,000/yr	-$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Cary saves $39,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $78,000.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Cary breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Virginia 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.