Is private school cheaper in Charlotte or Lafayette?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $13,500/year in Charlotte. That's $7,300/year less, or $94,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lafayette over Charlotte?

Average tuition in Lafayette is $7,300/year less than Charlotte. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $94,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in Charlotte, $4,600/year in Lafayette.

How do Charlotte and Lafayette private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Charlotte averages $13,500/year ($1,150 above average). Lafayette averages $6,200/year ($6,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Charlotte vs Lafayette

Lafayette averages $7,300/year less for private school (118% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $94,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $13,500/year in Charlotte. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Charlotte

$13,500

avg tuition/year

$1,150 above national avg

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charlotte	Lafayette	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,500/yr	$6,200/yr	+$7,300
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$4,600/yr	+$3,800
Independent/Prep	$25,000/yr	$14,900/yr	+$10,100
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$5,300/yr	+$5,700
Middle School (6-8)	$13,500/yr	$6,200/yr	+$7,300
High School (9-12)	$16,700/yr	$7,400/yr	+$9,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charlotte

$175,500

Lafayette

$80,600

Choosing Lafayette saves $94,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $189,800.

Sample Schools

Charlotte

Charlotte Latin School

Independent · K–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Providence Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

Myers Park Traditional School

Magnet (Free) · K–12

Charlotte Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Charlotte breakdown → Full Lafayette breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Louisiana private school costs

Related Comparisons

Atlanta vs Charlotte → Raleigh vs Charlotte →

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.