Private School Cost: Raleigh vs West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach averages $1,700/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.
Bottom Line
West Palm Beach is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,300/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.
Raleigh
NC
$13,000
avg tuition/year
West Palm Beach
FL
$11,300
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Raleigh | West Palm Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $13,000/yr | $11,300/yr | +$1,700 |
| Religious Schools | $8,200/yr | $7,800/yr | +$400 |
| Independent/Prep | $24,500/yr | $23,200/yr | +$1,300 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $10,600/yr | $9,600/yr | +$1,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $13,000/yr | $11,300/yr | +$1,700 |
| High School (9-12) | $16,000/yr | $13,600/yr | +$2,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Raleigh
$169,000
West Palm Beach
$146,900
Choosing West Palm Beach saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.
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
West Palm Beach
Palm Beach Day Academy
Independent · PK–8 · $32,400/yr
Cardinal Newman High School (WPB)
Catholic · 9–12 · $15,200/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.