Is private school cheaper in Raleigh or Sparks?

Sparks has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sparks is $1,800/year less than Raleigh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Raleigh, $7,800/year in Sparks.

How do Raleigh and Sparks 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). Sparks averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Raleigh vs Sparks

Sparks averages $1,800/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Sparks is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Sparks

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Raleigh	Sparks	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$11,200/yr	+$1,800
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$7,800/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$22,500/yr	+$2,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,600/yr	$9,500/yr	+$1,100
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$11,200/yr	+$1,800
High School (9-12)	$16,000/yr	$13,400/yr	+$2,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Raleigh

$169,000

Sparks

$145,600

Choosing Sparks saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

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

Sparks

Coral Academy of Science (Sparks)

Independent · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr

St. Albert School (Sparks)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Full Raleigh breakdown → Full Sparks breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Nevada 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.