Is private school cheaper in Gainesville or Wilmington?

Gainesville has lower average private school tuition at $9,900/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Gainesville is $100/year less than Wilmington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Gainesville, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Gainesville averages $9,900/year ($2,450 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Gainesville vs Wilmington

Gainesville averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Gainesville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,900/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Gainesville

$9,900

avg tuition/year

$2,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Gainesville	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,900/yr	$10,000/yr	-$100
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$7,100/yr	-$300
Independent/Prep	$20,400/yr	$21,100/yr	-$700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$8,500/yr	-$100
Middle School (6-8)	$9,900/yr	$10,000/yr	-$100
High School (9-12)	$11,900/yr	$12,000/yr	-$100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Gainesville

$128,700

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Gainesville saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

Sample Schools

Gainesville

Buchholz High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Gainesville Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $9,200-$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 Gainesville breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Florida 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.