Private School Cost: Houston vs Wilmington
Wilmington averages $5,800/year less for private school (58% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $75,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $15,800/year in Houston. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.
Houston
TX
$15,800
avg tuition/year
Wilmington
NC
$10,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Houston | Wilmington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $15,800/yr | $10,000/yr | +$5,800 |
| Religious Schools | $9,200/yr | $7,100/yr | +$2,100 |
| Independent/Prep | $28,000/yr | $21,100/yr | +$6,900 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $13,000/yr | $8,500/yr | +$4,500 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $15,800/yr | $10,000/yr | +$5,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $19,500/yr | $12,000/yr | +$7,500 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Houston
$205,400
Wilmington
$130,000
Choosing Wilmington saves $75,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $150,800.
Sample Schools
Houston
St. John's School (Houston)
Independent · K–12 · $33,900-$36,200/yr
Kinkaid School
Independent · PK–12 · $34,500-$37,000/yr
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Catholic · 9–12 · $20,400/yr
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Catholic · K–12 · $20,100/yr
Wilmington
Cape Fear Academy
Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr
Wilmington Christian Academy
Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr
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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.