Is private school cheaper in Surprise or Wilmington?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Surprise is $500/year less than Wilmington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Surprise, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Surprise vs Wilmington

Surprise averages $500/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Surprise	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,500/yr	$10,000/yr	-$500
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$7,100/yr	Same
Independent/Prep	$18,100/yr	$21,100/yr	-$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,100/yr	$8,500/yr	-$400
Middle School (6-8)	$9,500/yr	$10,000/yr	-$500
High School (9-12)	$11,400/yr	$12,000/yr	-$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Surprise

$123,500

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Surprise saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

Sample Schools

Surprise

Surprise Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Holy Cross School (Surprise AZ)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Surprise breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Arizona 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.