For the 2026 school year, there are 877 private schools serving 136,487 students in North Carolina (there are 2,760 public schools, serving 1,546,300 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 $12,462 for elementary schools and $13,859 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in North Carolina include Saint Mary's School, Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill, and Cary Academy.
The average acceptance rate is 81% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 23% and the student-teacher ratio is 10:1.
Overview
This State (NC)
US
# Schools
877 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
136,487 Students
5,699,317 Students
% Average Students of Color
23%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
13,622 Teachers
507,826 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)
1233
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$13,172
$14,878
Average Summer Program Cost
$765
$1,138
Average % on Financial Aid
30%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$5,493
$7,124
Average Acceptance Rate
81%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$46.14 million
$61.71 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.58
0.65
# American Indian Students
641 Students
29,886 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
4,215 Students
265,088 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
5,803 Students
507,413 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
9%
# Black Students
9,646 Students
416,690 Students
% Black Students
7%
7%
# White Students
79,810 Students
2,932,713 Students
% White Students
59%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
496 Students
20,067 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
33,840 Students
1,471,571 Students
% of Others Students
25%
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 Saint Mary's School, Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill, and Cary Academy.
How many private schools are located in North Carolina?
There are 877 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 $12,462 for elementary schools and $13,859 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in North Carolina?
Approximately 23% 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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