Private School Cost: Charlotte vs Little Rock
Little Rock averages $6,900/year less for private school (105% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $89,700 per child.
Bottom Line
Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $13,500/year in Charlotte. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.
Charlotte
NC
$13,500
avg tuition/year
Little Rock
AR
$6,600
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Charlotte | Little Rock | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $13,500/yr | $6,600/yr | +$6,900 |
| Religious Schools | $8,400/yr | $5,000/yr | +$3,400 |
| Independent/Prep | $25,000/yr | $13,100/yr | +$11,900 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $11,000/yr | $5,600/yr | +$5,400 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $13,500/yr | $6,600/yr | +$6,900 |
| High School (9-12) | $16,700/yr | $7,900/yr | +$8,800 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Charlotte
$175,500
Little Rock
$85,800
Choosing Little Rock saves $89,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $179,400.
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
Little Rock
Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)
Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr
Mount St. Mary Academy
Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr
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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.