Is private school cheaper in Fayetteville or Lowell?

Fayetteville has lower average private school tuition at $9,000/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $14,600/year less, or $189,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Fayetteville over Lowell?

Average tuition in Fayetteville is $14,600/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $189,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Fayetteville, $12,800/year in Lowell.

How do Fayetteville and Lowell private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fayetteville averages $9,000/year ($3,350 below average). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Fayetteville vs Lowell

Fayetteville averages $14,600/year less for private school (162% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $189,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Fayetteville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,000/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Fayetteville

$9,000

avg tuition/year

$3,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fayetteville	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,000/yr	$23,600/yr	-$14,600
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$12,800/yr	-$6,500
Independent/Prep	$18,900/yr	$48,100/yr	-$29,200
Elementary (K-5)	$7,700/yr	$20,100/yr	-$12,400
Middle School (6-8)	$9,000/yr	$23,600/yr	-$14,600
High School (9-12)	$10,800/yr	$28,300/yr	-$17,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fayetteville

$117,000

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Fayetteville saves $189,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $379,600.

Sample Schools

Fayetteville

Cape Fear Academy (Wilmington)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Fayetteville Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Fayetteville breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Massachusetts 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.