Is private school cheaper in Richmond or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $4,500/year less, or $58,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Wilmington over Richmond?

Average tuition in Wilmington is $4,500/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $58,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Richmond, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

How do Richmond and Wilmington private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Richmond vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $4,500/year less for private school (45% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $58,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Richmond	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$4,500
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$2,100
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$21,100/yr	+$5,900
Elementary (K-5)	$11,800/yr	$8,500/yr	+$3,300
Middle School (6-8)	$14,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$4,500
High School (9-12)	$18,000/yr	$12,000/yr	+$6,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Richmond

$188,500

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $58,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $117,000.

Sample Schools

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Richmond breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Virginia private school costs North Carolina private school costs

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.