Is private school cheaper in Annapolis or Charleston?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $6,400/year vs $18,200/year in Annapolis. That's $11,800/year less, or $153,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $11,800/year less than Annapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $153,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in Annapolis, $4,600/year in Charleston.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Annapolis averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Charleston averages $6,400/year ($5,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Annapolis vs Charleston

Charleston averages $11,800/year less for private school (184% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $153,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,400/year vs $18,200/year in Annapolis. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Annapolis

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Charleston

$6,400

avg tuition/year

$5,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Annapolis	Charleston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$6,400/yr	+$11,800
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$4,600/yr	+$7,800
Independent/Prep	$38,400/yr	$12,800/yr	+$25,600
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$5,400/yr	+$10,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$6,400/yr	+$11,800
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$7,700/yr	+$14,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Annapolis

$236,600

Charleston

$83,200

Choosing Charleston saves $153,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $306,800.

Sample Schools

Annapolis

St. Anne's School of Annapolis

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–8 · $28,400/yr

St. Mary's High School (Annapolis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/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 Annapolis breakdown → Full Charleston breakdown →

Maryland 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.