Is private school cheaper in Atlanta or Charleston?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $6,400/year vs $15,200/year in Atlanta. That's $8,800/year less, or $114,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $8,800/year less than Atlanta. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $114,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Atlanta, $4,600/year in Charleston.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Atlanta averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average). Charleston averages $6,400/year ($5,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Atlanta vs Charleston

Charleston averages $8,800/year less for private school (138% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $114,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,400/year vs $15,200/year in Atlanta. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Atlanta

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Charleston

$6,400

avg tuition/year

$5,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Atlanta	Charleston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$6,400/yr	+$8,800
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$4,600/yr	+$4,800
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$12,800/yr	+$15,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,500/yr	$5,400/yr	+$7,100
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$6,400/yr	+$8,800
High School (9-12)	$18,800/yr	$7,700/yr	+$11,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Atlanta

$197,600

Charleston

$83,200

Choosing Charleston saves $114,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $228,800.

Sample Schools

Atlanta

The Westminster Schools

Independent · 1–12 · $35,800-$38,400/yr

Pace Academy

Independent · K–12 · $34,200/yr

Lovett School

Independent · K–12 · $33,600/yr

Marist School Atlanta

Catholic · 7–12 · $19,400/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 Atlanta breakdown → Full Charleston breakdown →

Georgia private school costs West Virginia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Atlanta vs Charlotte → Nashville vs Atlanta → Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.