Is private school cheaper in Cary or Stockton?

Cary has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $13,800/year in Stockton. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cary is $2,300/year less than Stockton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $9,000/year in Stockton.

How do Cary and Stockton 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). Stockton averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Stockton

Cary averages $2,300/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Cary is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $13,800/year in Stockton. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Stockton

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Stockton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$13,800/yr	-$2,300
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$9,000/yr	-$900
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$26,800/yr	-$2,700
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$11,700/yr	-$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$13,800/yr	-$2,300
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$16,600/yr	-$2,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Stockton

$179,400

Choosing Cary saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Stockton

St. Mary's High School (Stockton)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Stockton Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $8,600-$10,200/yr

Full Cary breakdown → Full Stockton breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs California 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.