For the 2026 school year, there are 882 private schools serving 136,556 students in North Carolina (there are 2,734 public schools, serving 1,549,621 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 $12,470 for elementary schools and $13,863 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in North Carolina include Cary Academy, Cannon School, and Asheville Christian 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
882 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
136,556 Students
5,700,153 Students
% Average Students of Color
23%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
13,630 Teachers
508,036 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
$13,179
$14,882
Average Summer Program Cost
$765
$1,137
Average % on Financial Aid
30%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$5,527
$7,141
Average Acceptance Rate
81%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$46.14 million
$61.9 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.58
0.65
# American Indian Students
641 Students
29,879 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
4,215 Students
265,082 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
5,804 Students
507,336 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
9%
# Black Students
9,651 Students
416,665 Students
% Black Students
7%
7%
# White Students
79,836 Students
2,933,309 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
33,983 Students
1,471,980 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 Cary Academy, Cannon School, and Asheville Christian Academy.
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 $12,470 for elementary schools and $13,863 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
Recent Articles
When “Personalized Learning” Is Mostly Software
Discover how to tell the difference between genuine personalized learning and software-driven instruction. Learn what questions to ask private schools and how to identify classrooms where technology enhances, rather than replaces, meaningful teacher-student relationships.
Learning Support vs. Tutoring: What's Included in Private School Tuition?
Learn the difference between learning support and tutoring, what's typically included in private school tuition, and what parents should ask before enrolling.
How to Evaluate Reading and Writing Instruction in the Early Grades
Learn how to evaluate reading and writing instruction in the early grades, including phonics, writing, assessments, and literacy support in private schools.
