Is private school cheaper in Paterson or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $8,100/year less, or $105,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $8,100/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $105,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,700/year in Paterson, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Paterson vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $8,100/year less for private school (81% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $105,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Paterson	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$10,000/yr	+$8,100
Religious Schools	$11,700/yr	$7,100/yr	+$4,600
Independent/Prep	$38,700/yr	$21,100/yr	+$17,600
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$8,500/yr	+$6,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$10,000/yr	+$8,100
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$12,000/yr	+$9,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Paterson

$235,300

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $105,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $210,600.

Sample Schools

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Paterson breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

New Jersey 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.