Is private school cheaper in Washington DC or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $18,400/year less, or $239,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $18,400/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $239,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $15,200/year in Washington DC, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Washington DC vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $18,400/year less for private school (184% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $239,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Washington DC	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$28,400/yr	$10,000/yr	+$18,400
Religious Schools	$15,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$8,100
Independent/Prep	$46,000/yr	$21,100/yr	+$24,900
Elementary (K-5)	$23,000/yr	$8,500/yr	+$14,500
Middle School (6-8)	$28,400/yr	$10,000/yr	+$18,400
High School (9-12)	$35,500/yr	$12,000/yr	+$23,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Washington DC

$369,200

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $239,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $478,400.

Sample Schools

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Washington DC breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

District of Columbia private school costs North Carolina private school costs

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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.