Is private school cheaper in Fort Wayne or Wilmington?

Fort Wayne has lower average private school tuition at $7,900/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. That's $2,100/year less, or $27,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Wayne is $2,100/year less than Wilmington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $27,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,800/year in Fort Wayne, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fort Wayne averages $7,900/year ($4,450 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Fort Wayne vs Wilmington

Fort Wayne averages $2,100/year less for private school (27% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $27,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Wayne is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,900/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. Religious schools run $5,800/year on the low end.

Fort Wayne

$7,900

avg tuition/year

$4,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fort Wayne	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,900/yr	$10,000/yr	-$2,100
Religious Schools	$5,800/yr	$7,100/yr	-$1,300
Independent/Prep	$16,500/yr	$21,100/yr	-$4,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,700/yr	$8,500/yr	-$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$7,900/yr	$10,000/yr	-$2,100
High School (9-12)	$9,500/yr	$12,000/yr	-$2,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fort Wayne

$102,700

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Fort Wayne saves $27,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $54,600.

Sample Schools

Fort Wayne

Bishop Luers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Canterbury School (Fort Wayne)

Independent · PK–12 · $20,400/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Fort Wayne breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Indiana 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.