Is private school cheaper in Raleigh or Rochester?

Raleigh has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. That's $5,100/year less, or $66,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Raleigh over Rochester?

Average tuition in Raleigh is $5,100/year less than Rochester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $66,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Raleigh, $10,400/year in Rochester.

How do Raleigh and Rochester private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Raleigh averages $13,000/year ($650 above average). Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Raleigh vs Rochester

Raleigh averages $5,100/year less for private school (39% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $66,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Raleigh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Raleigh	Rochester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$18,100/yr	-$5,100
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$10,400/yr	-$2,200
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$38,500/yr	-$14,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,600/yr	$15,400/yr	-$4,800
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$18,100/yr	-$5,100
High School (9-12)	$16,000/yr	$21,700/yr	-$5,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Raleigh

$169,000

Rochester

$235,300

Choosing Raleigh saves $66,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $132,600.

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

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Raleigh breakdown → Full Rochester breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs New York 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.