For the 2026 school year, there are 882 private schools serving 136,591 students in North Carolina (there are , 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 $12,455 for elementary schools and $13,865 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in North Carolina include Saint Mary's School, Cannon School, and Asheville Christian Academy.
The average acceptance rate is 81% (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
136,591 Students
5,698,692 Students
% Average Students of Color
24%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
13,631 Teachers
507,989 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
$13,164
$14,883
Average Summer Program Cost
$765
$1,136
Average % on Financial Aid
30%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$5,527
$7,137
Average Acceptance Rate
81%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$46.14 million
$61.95 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.58
0.65
# American Indian Students
641 Students
29,844 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
# Asian Students
4,215 Students
265,009 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
5,804 Students
507,121 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
9%
# Black Students
9,651 Students
416,612 Students
% Black Students
7%
7%
# White Students
79,836 Students
2,932,330 Students
% White Students
59%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
496 Students
20,066 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
34,009 Students
1,472,325 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 Saint Mary's School, 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 $12,455 for elementary schools and $13,865 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
Recent Articles
草榴社区 School Closures and Consolidations: Warning Signs to Watch
Learn the financial, enrollment, and leadership warning signs that may indicate a private school is at risk of closure or consolidation, and how families can prepare.
AI Tutoring in 草榴社区 Schools: Innovation or Risk?
Discover how AI tutoring is changing private education, the benefits and risks for students, and what parents should ask before enrolling.
What New Cell Phone Laws Mean for 草榴社区 School Families
Learn how new cell phone laws are affecting private schools, what parents should expect, and how to evaluate school technology policies in 2026.
