Is private school cheaper in Peoria or Wilmington?

Peoria has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Peoria is $300/year less than Wilmington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,300/year in Peoria, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Peoria averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Peoria vs Wilmington

Peoria averages $300/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Peoria is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Peoria

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Peoria	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$10,000/yr	-$300
Religious Schools	$7,300/yr	$7,100/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$18,500/yr	$21,100/yr	-$2,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$8,500/yr	-$300
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$10,000/yr	-$300
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$12,000/yr	-$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Peoria

$126,100

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Peoria saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Peoria

Sandra Day O'Connor Prep (Peoria)

Independent · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Deer Valley Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Peoria breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Arizona 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.