Is private school cheaper in Fontana or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $14,900/year in Fontana. That's $4,900/year less, or $63,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $4,900/year less than Fontana. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $63,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,700/year in Fontana, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fontana averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Fontana vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $4,900/year less for private school (49% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $14,900/year in Fontana. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Fontana

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fontana	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,900/yr	$10,000/yr	+$4,900
Religious Schools	$9,700/yr	$7,100/yr	+$2,600
Independent/Prep	$29,000/yr	$21,100/yr	+$7,900
Elementary (K-5)	$12,700/yr	$8,500/yr	+$4,200
Middle School (6-8)	$14,900/yr	$10,000/yr	+$4,900
High School (9-12)	$17,900/yr	$12,000/yr	+$5,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fontana

$193,700

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

Sample Schools

Fontana

Fontana Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,800/yr

St. Joseph School (Fontana)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,600-$9,200/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Fontana 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.