Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Charleston
Charleston averages $9,400/year less for private school (100% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $122,200 per child.
Bottom Line
Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.
Alexandria
VA
$18,800
avg tuition/year
Charleston
SC
$9,400
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Alexandria | Charleston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $18,800/yr | $9,400/yr | +$9,400 |
| Religious Schools | $12,900/yr | $6,800/yr | +$6,100 |
| Independent/Prep | $37,600/yr | $19,400/yr | +$18,200 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $16,000/yr | $8,000/yr | +$8,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $18,800/yr | $9,400/yr | +$9,400 |
| High School (9-12) | $22,600/yr | $11,300/yr | +$11,300 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Alexandria
$244,400
Charleston
$122,200
Choosing Charleston saves $122,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $244,400.
Sample Schools
Alexandria
Episcopal High School (Alexandria VA)
Independent (Episcopal) · 9–12 · $65,800/yr
Bishop Ireton High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr
Charleston
Porter-Gaud School
Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr
Bishop England High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr
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.