Is private school cheaper in Little Rock or Wilmington?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. That's $3,400/year less, or $44,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Little Rock is $3,400/year less than Wilmington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $44,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Little Rock, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Little Rock vs Wilmington

Little Rock averages $3,400/year less for private school (52% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $44,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Little Rock	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,600/yr	$10,000/yr	-$3,400
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$7,100/yr	-$2,100
Independent/Prep	$13,100/yr	$21,100/yr	-$8,000
Elementary (K-5)	$5,600/yr	$8,500/yr	-$2,900
Middle School (6-8)	$6,600/yr	$10,000/yr	-$3,400
High School (9-12)	$7,900/yr	$12,000/yr	-$4,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Little Rock

$85,800

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Little Rock saves $44,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $88,400.

Sample Schools

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Little Rock breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Arkansas 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.