Is private school cheaper in Mesa or Wilmington?

Mesa has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. That's $600/year less, or $7,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Mesa is $600/year less than Wilmington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $7,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Mesa, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Mesa averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Mesa vs Wilmington

Mesa averages $600/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $7,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Mesa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Mesa

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Mesa	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$10,000/yr	-$600
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$7,100/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$18,000/yr	$21,100/yr	-$3,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$8,500/yr	-$500
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$10,000/yr	-$600
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$12,000/yr	-$700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Mesa

$122,200

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Mesa saves $7,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $15,600.

Sample Schools

Mesa

Gilbert Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Mesa Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$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 Mesa breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Arizona 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.