Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $13,600/year less, or $176,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $13,600/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $176,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $13,600/year less for private school (136% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $176,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$10,000/yr	+$13,600
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$7,100/yr	+$5,700
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$21,100/yr	+$27,000
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$8,500/yr	+$11,600
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$10,000/yr	+$13,600
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$12,000/yr	+$16,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $176,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $353,600.

Sample Schools

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Lowell breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.