Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Charleston?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $6,400/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. That's $5,500/year less, or $71,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $5,500/year less than Anchorage. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $71,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $4,600/year in Charleston.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Anchorage averages $11,900/year ($450 below average). Charleston averages $6,400/year ($5,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Charleston

Charleston averages $5,500/year less for private school (86% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $71,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,400/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Charleston

$6,400

avg tuition/year

$5,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Charleston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$6,400/yr	+$5,500
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$4,600/yr	+$3,300
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$12,800/yr	+$8,700
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$5,400/yr	+$4,700
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$6,400/yr	+$5,500
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$7,700/yr	+$6,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Charleston

$83,200

Choosing Charleston saves $71,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $143,000.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/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 Anchorage breakdown → Full Charleston breakdown →

Alaska 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.