Is private school cheaper in Fresno or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $500/year less than Fresno. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Fresno, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fresno averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Fresno vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $500/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fresno	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$500
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$7,100/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$21,100/yr	-$1,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$8,500/yr	+$100
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$500
High School (9-12)	$12,900/yr	$12,000/yr	+$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fresno

$136,500

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

Sample Schools

Fresno

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$10,800/yr

Central High School (Fresno) (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Bullard Talent School

Magnet (Free) · K–8

Fresno Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$11,400/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Fresno 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.