Private School Cost: Raleigh vs Charlotte
Raleigh averages $500/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.
Bottom Line
Raleigh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $13,500/year in Charlotte. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.
Raleigh
NC
$13,000
avg tuition/year
Charlotte
NC
$13,500
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Raleigh | Charlotte | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $13,000/yr | $13,500/yr | -$500 |
| Religious Schools | $8,200/yr | $8,400/yr | -$200 |
| Independent/Prep | $24,500/yr | $25,000/yr | -$500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $10,600/yr | $11,000/yr | -$400 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $13,000/yr | $13,500/yr | -$500 |
| High School (9-12) | $16,000/yr | $16,700/yr | -$700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Raleigh
$169,000
Charlotte
$175,500
Choosing Raleigh saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.
Sample Schools
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
Charlotte
Charlotte Latin School
Independent · K–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr
Providence Day School
Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr
Myers Park Traditional School
Magnet (Free) · K–12
Charlotte Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr
Related Comparisons
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.