Is private school cheaper in Virginia Beach or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. That's $3,200/year less, or $41,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $3,200/year less than Virginia Beach. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $41,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in Virginia Beach, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Virginia Beach vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $3,200/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $41,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Virginia Beach	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,200/yr	$10,000/yr	+$3,200
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$7,100/yr	+$1,500
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$21,100/yr	+$3,400
Elementary (K-5)	$10,800/yr	$8,500/yr	+$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$13,200/yr	$10,000/yr	+$3,200
High School (9-12)	$16,200/yr	$12,000/yr	+$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $41,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $83,200.

Sample Schools

Virginia Beach

Norfolk Academy

Independent · 1–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

Cape Henry Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Kellam High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Virginia Beach 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.