Is private school cheaper in Albuquerque or Charleston?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $6,400/year vs $10,200/year in Albuquerque. That's $3,800/year less, or $49,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $3,800/year less than Albuquerque. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $49,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Albuquerque, $4,600/year in Charleston.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albuquerque averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average). Charleston averages $6,400/year ($5,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Albuquerque vs Charleston

Charleston averages $3,800/year less for private school (59% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $49,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,400/year vs $10,200/year in Albuquerque. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Albuquerque

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Charleston

$6,400

avg tuition/year

$5,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albuquerque	Charleston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$6,400/yr	+$3,800
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$4,600/yr	+$2,400
Independent/Prep	$19,000/yr	$12,800/yr	+$6,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$5,400/yr	+$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$6,400/yr	+$3,800
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$7,700/yr	+$4,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albuquerque

$132,600

Charleston

$83,200

Choosing Charleston saves $49,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $98,800.

Sample Schools

Albuquerque

Albuquerque Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr

Sandia Preparatory School

Independent · 6–12 · $18,400/yr

St. Pius X High School (Albuquerque)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Bosque School

Independent · 6–12 · $19,800-$21,400/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 Albuquerque breakdown → Full Charleston breakdown →

New Mexico 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.