Is private school cheaper in Albany or Charleston?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $10,300/year less, or $133,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $10,300/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $133,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $6,800/year in Charleston.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albany averages $19,700/year ($7,350 above average). Charleston averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Charleston

Charleston averages $10,300/year less for private school (110% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $133,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Charleston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$9,400/yr	+$10,300
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$6,800/yr	+$4,500
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$19,400/yr	+$22,500
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$8,000/yr	+$8,700
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$9,400/yr	+$10,300
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$11,300/yr	+$12,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Charleston

$122,200

Choosing Charleston saves $133,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $267,800.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Charleston breakdown →

New York private school costs South Carolina 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.