Private School Cost: Raleigh vs Tulsa
Tulsa averages $6,000/year less for private school (86% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Tulsa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,000/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. Religious schools run $5,100/year on the low end.
Raleigh
NC
$13,000
avg tuition/year
Tulsa
OK
$7,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Raleigh | Tulsa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $13,000/yr | $7,000/yr | +$6,000 |
| Religious Schools | $8,200/yr | $5,100/yr | +$3,100 |
| Independent/Prep | $24,500/yr | $14,500/yr | +$10,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $10,600/yr | $6,000/yr | +$4,600 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $13,000/yr | $7,000/yr | +$6,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $16,000/yr | $8,400/yr | +$7,600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Raleigh
$169,000
Tulsa
$91,000
Choosing Tulsa saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.
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
Tulsa
Holland Hall (Tulsa)
Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $21,400/yr
Bishop Kelley High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/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.