Private School Cost: Fayetteville vs Irvine
Fayetteville averages $11,400/year less for private school (127% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $148,200 per child.
Bottom Line
Fayetteville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,000/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.
Fayetteville
NC
$9,000
avg tuition/year
Irvine
CA
$20,400
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Fayetteville | Irvine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $9,000/yr | $20,400/yr | -$11,400 |
| Religious Schools | $6,300/yr | $13,300/yr | -$7,000 |
| Independent/Prep | $18,900/yr | $39,700/yr | -$20,800 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $7,700/yr | $17,300/yr | -$9,600 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $9,000/yr | $20,400/yr | -$11,400 |
| High School (9-12) | $10,800/yr | $24,500/yr | -$13,700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Fayetteville
$117,000
Irvine
$265,200
Choosing Fayetteville saves $148,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $296,400.
Sample Schools
Fayetteville
Cape Fear Academy (Wilmington)
Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr
Fayetteville Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr
Irvine
Sage Hill School
Independent · 9–12 · $45,200/yr
Woodbridge Village Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $16,800/yr
Our Lady Queen of Angels School
Catholic · K–8 · $10,400-$12,200/yr
Related Comparisons
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.