Is private school cheaper in New Haven or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $22,400/year in New Haven. That's $12,400/year less, or $161,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $12,400/year less than New Haven. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $161,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in New Haven, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. New Haven averages $22,400/year ($10,050 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: New Haven vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $12,400/year less for private school (124% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $161,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $22,400/year in New Haven. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

New Haven

$22,400

avg tuition/year

$10,050 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New Haven	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$22,400/yr	$10,000/yr	+$12,400
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$7,100/yr	+$5,300
Independent/Prep	$44,600/yr	$21,100/yr	+$23,500
Elementary (K-5)	$19,000/yr	$8,500/yr	+$10,500
Middle School (6-8)	$22,400/yr	$10,000/yr	+$12,400
High School (9-12)	$26,900/yr	$12,000/yr	+$14,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New Haven

$291,200

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $161,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $322,400.

Sample Schools

New Haven

Hopkins School (New Haven)

Independent · 7–12 · $43,200/yr

Sacred Heart Academy (Hamden)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full New Haven breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Connecticut 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.