Is private school cheaper in Baltimore or Charleston?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $6,400/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. That's $12,100/year less, or $157,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $12,100/year less than Baltimore. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $157,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Baltimore, $4,600/year in Charleston.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Baltimore averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Charleston averages $6,400/year ($5,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Baltimore vs Charleston

Charleston averages $12,100/year less for private school (189% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $157,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,400/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Baltimore

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Charleston

$6,400

avg tuition/year

$5,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baltimore	Charleston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$6,400/yr	+$12,100
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$4,600/yr	+$6,200
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$12,800/yr	+$21,200
Elementary (K-5)	$15,200/yr	$5,400/yr	+$9,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$6,400/yr	+$12,100
High School (9-12)	$23,000/yr	$7,700/yr	+$15,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baltimore

$240,500

Charleston

$83,200

Choosing Charleston saves $157,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $314,600.

Sample Schools

Baltimore

Gilman School

Independent · K–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Roland Park Country School

Independent · K–12 · $36,800/yr

Calvert Hall College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

Loyola Blakefield

Catholic · 6–12 · $24,800/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 Baltimore 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.