Is private school cheaper in Huntsville or Wilmington?

Huntsville has lower average private school tuition at $7,800/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Huntsville is $2,200/year less than Wilmington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,800/year in Huntsville, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Huntsville averages $7,800/year ($4,550 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Huntsville vs Wilmington

Huntsville averages $2,200/year less for private school (28% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Huntsville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,800/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. Religious schools run $5,800/year on the low end.

Huntsville

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Huntsville	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,800/yr	$10,000/yr	-$2,200
Religious Schools	$5,800/yr	$7,100/yr	-$1,300
Independent/Prep	$16,000/yr	$21,100/yr	-$5,100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,600/yr	$8,500/yr	-$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$7,800/yr	$10,000/yr	-$2,200
High School (9-12)	$9,400/yr	$12,000/yr	-$2,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Huntsville

$101,400

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Huntsville saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

Sample Schools

Huntsville

Randolph School (Huntsville)

Independent · PK–12 · $17,400/yr

St. John Paul II Catholic High School (Huntsville)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Huntsville breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Alabama 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.