Is private school cheaper in Naperville or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. That's $3,800/year less, or $49,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $3,800/year less than Naperville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $49,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Naperville, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Naperville averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Naperville vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $3,800/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $49,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Naperville	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$10,000/yr	+$3,800
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$7,100/yr	+$1,600
Independent/Prep	$31,900/yr	$21,100/yr	+$10,800
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$8,500/yr	+$3,200
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$10,000/yr	+$3,800
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$12,000/yr	+$4,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Naperville

$179,400

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $49,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $98,800.

Sample Schools

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Naperville breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Illinois 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.