Is private school cheaper in Macon or Wilmington?

Macon has lower average private school tuition at $9,600/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Macon is $400/year less than Wilmington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Macon, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Macon averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Macon vs Wilmington

Macon averages $400/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Macon is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Macon

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Macon	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,600/yr	$10,000/yr	-$400
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$7,100/yr	-$500
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$21,100/yr	-$1,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$8,500/yr	-$300
Middle School (6-8)	$9,600/yr	$10,000/yr	-$400
High School (9-12)	$11,500/yr	$12,000/yr	-$500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Macon

$124,800

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Macon saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

Sample Schools

Macon

Stratford Academy (Macon)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Mount de Sales Academy

Catholic · PK–12 · $10,800/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Macon breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Georgia 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.