Is private school cheaper in Cary or Sandy Springs?

Cary has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $13,300/year in Sandy Springs. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cary is $1,800/year less than Sandy Springs. 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, $9,200/year in Sandy Springs.

How do Cary and Sandy Springs 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). Sandy Springs averages $13,300/year ($950 above average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Sandy Springs

Cary averages $1,800/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Cary is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $13,300/year in Sandy Springs. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Sandy Springs

$13,300

avg tuition/year

$950 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Sandy Springs	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$13,300/yr	-$1,800
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$9,200/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$26,900/yr	-$2,800
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$11,300/yr	-$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$13,300/yr	-$1,800
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$16,000/yr	-$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Sandy Springs

$172,900

Choosing Cary 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

Sandy Springs

The Westminster Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400/yr

Holy Innocents' Episcopal School

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $30,200/yr

Full Cary breakdown → Full Sandy Springs breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Georgia 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.