Is private school cheaper in Portland or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $8,200/year less, or $106,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $8,200/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $106,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Portland, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Portland vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $8,200/year less for private school (82% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $106,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Portland	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$10,000/yr	+$8,200
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$7,100/yr	+$3,300
Independent/Prep	$31,500/yr	$21,100/yr	+$10,400
Elementary (K-5)	$14,800/yr	$8,500/yr	+$6,300
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$10,000/yr	+$8,200
High School (9-12)	$22,500/yr	$12,000/yr	+$10,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Portland

$236,600

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $106,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $213,200.

Sample Schools

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Portland breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Oregon 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.