Is private school cheaper in Louisville or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $11,500/year in Louisville. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $1,500/year less than Louisville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Louisville, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Louisville averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Louisville vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $1,500/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $11,500/year in Louisville. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Louisville

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Louisville	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$1,500
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$7,100/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$21,100/yr	+$400
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$8,500/yr	+$900
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$1,500
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$12,000/yr	+$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Louisville

$149,500

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Louisville

Louisville Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Bellarmine University Prep (Affiliated)

Reference · N/A

Male High School (Public Magnet)

Magnet (Free) · 9–12

Trinity High School (Louisville)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Louisville breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Kentucky 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.