Is private school cheaper in Centennial or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $3,700/year less than Centennial. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Centennial, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Centennial averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Centennial vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $3,700/year less for private school (37% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Centennial

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Centennial	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,700/yr	$10,000/yr	+$3,700
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$7,100/yr	+$1,800
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$21,100/yr	+$5,900
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$8,500/yr	+$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$13,700/yr	$10,000/yr	+$3,700
High School (9-12)	$16,400/yr	$12,000/yr	+$4,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Centennial

$178,100

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Centennial

Arapahoe Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Cherry Creek Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Centennial 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.