Is private school cheaper in Meridian or Wilmington?

Meridian has lower average private school tuition at $7,800/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Meridian is $2,200/year less than Wilmington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,300/year in Meridian, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Meridian averages $7,800/year ($4,550 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Meridian vs Wilmington

Meridian averages $2,200/year less for private school (28% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Meridian is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,800/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. Religious schools run $5,300/year on the low end.

Meridian

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Meridian	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,800/yr	$10,000/yr	-$2,200
Religious Schools	$5,300/yr	$7,100/yr	-$1,800
Independent/Prep	$15,100/yr	$21,100/yr	-$6,000
Elementary (K-5)	$6,600/yr	$8,500/yr	-$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$7,800/yr	$10,000/yr	-$2,200
High School (9-12)	$9,400/yr	$12,000/yr	-$2,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Meridian

$101,400

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Meridian saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

Sample Schools

Meridian

Nampa Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Victory Charter School (Meridian)

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Meridian breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

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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.