Is private school cheaper in Palmdale or Raleigh?

Raleigh has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. That's $1,900/year less, or $24,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Raleigh over Palmdale?

Average tuition in Raleigh is $1,900/year less than Palmdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $24,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,700/year in Palmdale, $8,200/year in Raleigh.

How do Palmdale and Raleigh private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Palmdale averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average). Raleigh averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Palmdale vs Raleigh

Raleigh averages $1,900/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $24,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Raleigh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Palmdale

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Palmdale	Raleigh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,900/yr	$13,000/yr	+$1,900
Religious Schools	$9,700/yr	$8,200/yr	+$1,500
Independent/Prep	$29,000/yr	$24,500/yr	+$4,500
Elementary (K-5)	$12,700/yr	$10,600/yr	+$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$14,900/yr	$13,000/yr	+$1,900
High School (9-12)	$17,900/yr	$16,000/yr	+$1,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Palmdale

$193,700

Raleigh

$169,000

Choosing Raleigh saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.

Sample Schools

Palmdale

Palmdale Aerospace Academy (Private)

Independent · K–12 · $10,200/yr

St. Mary School (Palmdale)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Raleigh

Ravenscroft School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Raleigh Charter High School

Charter (Free) · 9–12

Full Palmdale breakdown → Full Raleigh breakdown →

California private school costs North Carolina private school costs

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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.