Is private school cheaper in Seattle or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $14,500/year less, or $188,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $14,500/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $188,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,200/year in Seattle, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Seattle vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $14,500/year less for private school (145% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $188,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Seattle	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$24,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$14,500
Religious Schools	$13,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$6,100
Independent/Prep	$38,000/yr	$21,100/yr	+$16,900
Elementary (K-5)	$20,000/yr	$8,500/yr	+$11,500
Middle School (6-8)	$24,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$14,500
High School (9-12)	$30,500/yr	$12,000/yr	+$18,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Seattle

$318,500

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $188,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $377,000.

Sample Schools

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Seattle breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Washington private school costs North Carolina private school costs

Related Comparisons

Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.