Is private school cheaper in Waterbury or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $10,500/year less, or $136,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $10,500/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $136,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Waterbury, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Waterbury vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $10,500/year less for private school (105% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $136,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Waterbury	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$10,500
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$7,100/yr	+$4,200
Independent/Prep	$40,800/yr	$21,100/yr	+$19,700
Elementary (K-5)	$17,400/yr	$8,500/yr	+$8,900
Middle School (6-8)	$20,500/yr	$10,000/yr	+$10,500
High School (9-12)	$24,600/yr	$12,000/yr	+$12,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Waterbury

$266,500

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $136,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $273,000.

Sample Schools

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Waterbury breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Connecticut 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.