For the 2026 school year, there are 879 private schools serving 136,519 students in North Carolina (there are , 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 $12,470 for elementary schools and $13,863 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in North Carolina include Cary Academy, Saint Mary's School, and Cannon School.
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
879 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
136,519 Students
5,700,235 Students
% Average Students of Color
23%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
13,627 Teachers
507,979 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
48%
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
$14,879
Average Summer Program Cost
$765
$1,139
Average % on Financial Aid
30%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$5,527
$7,130
Average Acceptance Rate
81%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$46.14 million
$61.64 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
5,803 Students
507,339 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
9%
# Black Students
9,646 Students
416,670 Students
% Black Students
7%
7%
# White Students
79,810 Students
2,933,350 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
33,978 Students
1,471,710 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 草榴社区 Schools by County (2026)
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in 草榴社区 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, Saint Mary's School, and Cannon School.
How many private schools are located in North Carolina?
There are 879 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
How to Stress-Test a 草榴社区 School Budget Before Enrolling
Learn how to stress-test a private school budget before enrolling and avoid financial surprises that can affect your family's long-term plans.
When 鈥淎ffordable 草榴社区 School鈥 Means Fewer Services
Learn what families may sacrifice when choosing an affordable private school and how to evaluate whether lower tuition still delivers long-term value.
Voucher Eligibility Fine Print Parents Miss
Learn the hidden voucher eligibility rules that can affect school choice decisions and how parents can avoid common application mistakes.
