Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Charleston?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $10,400/year in Ann Arbor. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $1,000/year less than Ann Arbor. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $13,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $6,800/year in Charleston.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Ann Arbor averages $10,400/year ($1,950 below average). Charleston averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Charleston

Charleston averages $1,000/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $10,400/year in Ann Arbor. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Charleston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$9,400/yr	+$1,000
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$6,800/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$19,400/yr	+$2,800
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$8,000/yr	+$800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$9,400/yr	+$1,000
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$11,300/yr	+$1,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Charleston

$122,200

Choosing Charleston saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Charleston breakdown →

Michigan 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.