Is private school cheaper in Raleigh or Sacramento?

Raleigh has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $3,000/year less, or $39,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Raleigh is $3,000/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $39,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Raleigh, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

How do Raleigh and Sacramento 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). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Raleigh vs Sacramento

Raleigh averages $3,000/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $39,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Raleigh is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,000/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Raleigh	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$16,000/yr	-$3,000
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$9,800/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$28,500/yr	-$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,600/yr	$13,000/yr	-$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$16,000/yr	-$3,000
High School (9-12)	$16,000/yr	$19,800/yr	-$3,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Raleigh

$169,000

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Raleigh saves $39,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $78,000.

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

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Full Raleigh breakdown → Full Sacramento breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Raleigh vs Charlotte → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.