Is private school cheaper in Sunnyvale or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $11,600/year less, or $150,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $11,600/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $150,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $14,100/year in Sunnyvale, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Sunnyvale vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $11,600/year less for private school (116% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $150,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sunnyvale	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$21,600/yr	$10,000/yr	+$11,600
Religious Schools	$14,100/yr	$7,100/yr	+$7,000
Independent/Prep	$42,100/yr	$21,100/yr	+$21,000
Elementary (K-5)	$18,400/yr	$8,500/yr	+$9,900
Middle School (6-8)	$21,600/yr	$10,000/yr	+$11,600
High School (9-12)	$25,900/yr	$12,000/yr	+$13,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $150,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $301,600.

Sample Schools

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Sunnyvale breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

California 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.