Is private school cheaper in Frederick or Raleigh?

Raleigh has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Raleigh over Frederick?

Average tuition in Raleigh is $3,700/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Frederick, $8,200/year in Raleigh.

How do Frederick and Raleigh private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average). Raleigh averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Frederick vs Raleigh

Raleigh averages $3,700/year less for private school (28% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Raleigh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Frederick	Raleigh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,700/yr	$13,000/yr	+$3,700
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,100
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$24,500/yr	+$10,600
Elementary (K-5)	$14,200/yr	$10,600/yr	+$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$16,700/yr	$13,000/yr	+$3,700
High School (9-12)	$20,000/yr	$16,000/yr	+$4,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Frederick

$217,100

Raleigh

$169,000

Choosing Raleigh saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/yr

Raleigh

Ravenscroft School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Raleigh Charter High School

Charter (Free) · 9–12

Full Frederick breakdown → Full Raleigh breakdown →

Maryland private school costs North Carolina private school costs

Related Comparisons

Raleigh vs Charlotte → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.