Is private school cheaper in Fayetteville or Manchester?

Fayetteville has lower average private school tuition at $9,000/year vs $18,200/year in Manchester. That's $9,200/year less, or $119,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fayetteville is $9,200/year less than Manchester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $119,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Fayetteville, $10,400/year in Manchester.

How do Fayetteville and Manchester 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). Manchester averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Fayetteville vs Manchester

Fayetteville averages $9,200/year less for private school (102% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $119,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Fayetteville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,000/year vs $18,200/year in Manchester. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Fayetteville

$9,000

avg tuition/year

$3,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Manchester

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fayetteville	Manchester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,000/yr	$18,200/yr	-$9,200
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$10,400/yr	-$4,100
Independent/Prep	$18,900/yr	$39,300/yr	-$20,400
Elementary (K-5)	$7,700/yr	$15,500/yr	-$7,800
Middle School (6-8)	$9,000/yr	$18,200/yr	-$9,200
High School (9-12)	$10,800/yr	$21,800/yr	-$11,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fayetteville

$117,000

Manchester

$236,600

Choosing Fayetteville saves $119,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $239,200.

Sample Schools

Fayetteville

Cape Fear Academy (Wilmington)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Fayetteville Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Manchester

Manchester Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Derryfield School (Manchester NH)

Independent · 6–12 · $27,400/yr

Full Fayetteville breakdown → Full Manchester breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs New Hampshire 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.