Is private school cheaper in Odessa or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $10,500/year in Odessa. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $500/year less than Odessa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Odessa, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Odessa averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Odessa vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $500/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $10,500/year in Odessa. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Odessa

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Odessa	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$500
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$22,300/yr	$21,100/yr	+$1,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,900/yr	$8,500/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$500
High School (9-12)	$12,600/yr	$12,000/yr	+$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Odessa

$136,500

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

Sample Schools

Odessa

Trinity Christian School (Odessa)

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Our Lady of Guadalupe School

Catholic · K–8 · $7,400-$9,000/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Odessa breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Texas 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.