Is private school cheaper in Akron or Charleston?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $6,400/year vs $8,400/year in Akron. That's $2,000/year less, or $26,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Charleston over Akron?

Average tuition in Charleston is $2,000/year less than Akron. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $26,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Akron, $4,600/year in Charleston.

How do Akron and Charleston private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Akron averages $8,400/year ($3,950 below average). Charleston averages $6,400/year ($5,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Akron vs Charleston

Charleston averages $2,000/year less for private school (31% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,400/year vs $8,400/year in Akron. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Akron

$8,400

avg tuition/year

$3,950 below national avg

Charleston

$6,400

avg tuition/year

$5,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Akron	Charleston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,400/yr	$6,400/yr	+$2,000
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$4,600/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$12,800/yr	+$6,700
Elementary (K-5)	$7,100/yr	$5,400/yr	+$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$8,400/yr	$6,400/yr	+$2,000
High School (9-12)	$10,100/yr	$7,700/yr	+$2,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Akron

$109,200

Charleston

$83,200

Choosing Charleston saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.

Sample Schools

Akron

Walsh Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Firestone CLC Academy (Akron)

Independent · K–12 · $10,800/yr

Charleston

Charleston Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Liberty Christian Academy (Charleston WV)

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Full Akron breakdown → Full Charleston breakdown →

Ohio private school costs West Virginia private school costs

About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.