Is private school cheaper in Elk Grove or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $16,500/year in Elk Grove. That's $6,500/year less, or $84,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $6,500/year less than Elk Grove. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $84,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,700/year in Elk Grove, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Elk Grove averages $16,500/year ($4,150 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Elk Grove vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $6,500/year less for private school (65% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $84,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $16,500/year in Elk Grove. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Elk Grove

$16,500

avg tuition/year

$4,150 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elk Grove	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$6,500
Religious Schools	$10,700/yr	$7,100/yr	+$3,600
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$21,100/yr	+$10,900
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$8,500/yr	+$5,500
Middle School (6-8)	$16,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$6,500
High School (9-12)	$19,800/yr	$12,000/yr	+$7,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elk Grove

$214,500

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $84,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $169,000.

Sample Schools

Elk Grove

Laguna Creek Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Father Keith B. Kenny School

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Elk Grove breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

California private school costs North Carolina 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.