Is private school cheaper in Manchester or Raleigh?

Raleigh has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $18,200/year in Manchester. That's $5,200/year less, or $67,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Raleigh over Manchester?

Average tuition in Raleigh is $5,200/year less than Manchester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $67,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Manchester, $8,200/year in Raleigh.

How do Manchester and Raleigh private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Manchester averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Raleigh averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Manchester vs Raleigh

Raleigh averages $5,200/year less for private school (40% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $67,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Raleigh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $18,200/year in Manchester. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Manchester

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Manchester	Raleigh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$13,000/yr	+$5,200
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$8,200/yr	+$2,200
Independent/Prep	$39,300/yr	$24,500/yr	+$14,800
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$10,600/yr	+$4,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$13,000/yr	+$5,200
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$16,000/yr	+$5,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Manchester

$236,600

Raleigh

$169,000

Choosing Raleigh saves $67,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $135,200.

Sample Schools

Manchester

Manchester Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Derryfield School (Manchester NH)

Independent · 6–12 · $27,400/yr

Raleigh

Ravenscroft School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Raleigh Charter High School

Charter (Free) · 9–12

Full Manchester breakdown → Full Raleigh breakdown →

New Hampshire private school costs North Carolina private school costs

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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.