Is private school cheaper in Raleigh or Virginia Beach?

Raleigh has lower average private school tuition at $13,000/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Raleigh is $200/year less than Virginia Beach. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Raleigh, $8,600/year in Virginia Beach.

How do Raleigh and Virginia Beach 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). Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average).

Private School Cost: Raleigh vs Virginia Beach

Raleigh averages $200/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Lower cost

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Raleigh	Virginia Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,000/yr	$13,200/yr	-$200
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$8,600/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$24,500/yr	Same
Elementary (K-5)	$10,600/yr	$10,800/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$13,000/yr	$13,200/yr	-$200
High School (9-12)	$16,000/yr	$16,200/yr	-$200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Raleigh

$169,000

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Choosing Raleigh saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

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

Virginia Beach

Norfolk Academy

Independent · 1–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

Cape Henry Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Kellam High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

Full Raleigh breakdown → Full Virginia Beach breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Virginia 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.