Private School Cost: Lafayette vs Wilmington
Lafayette averages $3,800/year less for private school (61% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $49,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.
Lafayette
LA
$6,200
avg tuition/year
Wilmington
NC
$10,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Lafayette | Wilmington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $6,200/yr | $10,000/yr | -$3,800 |
| Religious Schools | $4,600/yr | $7,100/yr | -$2,500 |
| Independent/Prep | $14,900/yr | $21,100/yr | -$6,200 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $5,300/yr | $8,500/yr | -$3,200 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $6,200/yr | $10,000/yr | -$3,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $7,400/yr | $12,000/yr | -$4,600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Lafayette
$80,600
Wilmington
$130,000
Choosing Lafayette saves $49,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $98,800.
Sample Schools
Lafayette
Teurlings Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr
Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)
Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/yr
Wilmington
Cape Fear Academy
Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr
Wilmington Christian Academy
Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr
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.