For the 2026 school year, there are 882 private schools serving 137,042 students in North Carolina (there are 2,732 public schools, serving 1,549,380 students). 8% of all K-12 students in North Carolina attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $12,488 for elementary schools and $13,887 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in North Carolina include Cannon School, Cape Fear Academy, and Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill.
The average acceptance rate is 82% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 24% and the student-teacher ratio is 10:1.
Overview
This State (NC)
US
# Schools
882 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
137,042 Students
5,691,246 Students
% Average Students of Color
24%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
13,642 Teachers
508,046 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
47%
55%
Average Class Size
15 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
11 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1210
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$13,205
$14,923
Average Summer Program Cost
$743
$1,149
Average % on Financial Aid
31%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$5,487
$7,216
Average Acceptance Rate
82%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$46.3 million
$62.86 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.58
0.65
# American Indian Students
641 Students
29,824 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
4,215 Students
264,948 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
5,804 Students
506,932 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
9%
# Black Students
9,651 Students
415,837 Students
% Black Students
7%
7%
# White Students
79,836 Students
2,930,905 Students
% White Students
59%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
496 Students
20,066 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
34,419 Students
1,472,563 Students
% of Others Students
26%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports
Top-Ranked North Carolina Private Schools by County (2026)
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in North Carolina?
The top-ranked private schools in North Carolina include Cannon School, Cape Fear Academy, and Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill.
How many private schools are located in North Carolina?
There are 882 private schools are located in North Carolina.
How much do private schools cost in North Carolina?
The average private school tuition in North Carolina is $12,488 for elementary schools and $13,887 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in North Carolina?
Approximately 24% of students in North Carolina private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in North Carolina go to private school?
8% of all K-12 students in North Carolina attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in North Carolina?
Which private schools in North Carolina are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in North Carolina include: New Manna Christian School vs. Nebo Crossing Academy, Grace Academy vs. Mountain Pathways School, Davidson Green School vs. Davidson Day School
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