Is private school cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Wilmington?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. That's $3,200/year less, or $41,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cedar Rapids over Wilmington?

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $3,200/year less than Wilmington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $41,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

How do Cedar Rapids and Wilmington private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Cedar Rapids vs Wilmington

Cedar Rapids averages $3,200/year less for private school (47% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $41,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cedar Rapids	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,800/yr	$10,000/yr	-$3,200
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$7,100/yr	-$2,300
Independent/Prep	$14,300/yr	$21,100/yr	-$6,800
Elementary (K-5)	$5,800/yr	$8,500/yr	-$2,700
Middle School (6-8)	$6,800/yr	$10,000/yr	-$3,200
High School (9-12)	$8,200/yr	$12,000/yr	-$3,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $41,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $83,200.

Sample Schools

Cedar Rapids

Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Cedar Rapids Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Cedar Rapids breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

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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.