Is private school cheaper in Frederick or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $6,700/year less, or $87,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $6,700/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $87,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Frederick, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

How do Frederick and Wilmington 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). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Frederick vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $6,700/year less for private school (67% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $87,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Frederick	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,700/yr	$10,000/yr	+$6,700
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$7,100/yr	+$4,200
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$21,100/yr	+$14,000
Elementary (K-5)	$14,200/yr	$8,500/yr	+$5,700
Middle School (6-8)	$16,700/yr	$10,000/yr	+$6,700
High School (9-12)	$20,000/yr	$12,000/yr	+$8,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Frederick

$217,100

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $87,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $174,200.

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

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Frederick breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Maryland 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.