Private School Cost: Raleigh vs Riverside
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 Riverside. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.
Raleigh
NC
$13,000
avg tuition/year
Riverside
CA
$14,900
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Raleigh | Riverside | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $13,000/yr | $14,900/yr | -$1,900 |
| Religious Schools | $8,200/yr | $9,700/yr | -$1,500 |
| Independent/Prep | $24,500/yr | $29,000/yr | -$4,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $10,600/yr | $12,700/yr | -$2,100 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $13,000/yr | $14,900/yr | -$1,900 |
| High School (9-12) | $16,000/yr | $17,900/yr | -$1,900 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Raleigh
$169,000
Riverside
$193,700
Choosing Raleigh saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.
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
Riverside
Notre Dame High School (Riverside)
Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr
Riverside Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr
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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.