Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Charlotte
Charlotte averages $5,100/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $66,300 per child.
Bottom Line
Charlotte is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,500/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.
Bellevue
WA
$18,600
avg tuition/year
Charlotte
NC
$13,500
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Bellevue | Charlotte | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $18,600/yr | $13,500/yr | +$5,100 |
| Religious Schools | $12,700/yr | $8,400/yr | +$4,300 |
| Independent/Prep | $39,700/yr | $25,000/yr | +$14,700 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $15,800/yr | $11,000/yr | +$4,800 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $18,600/yr | $13,500/yr | +$5,100 |
| High School (9-12) | $22,300/yr | $16,700/yr | +$5,600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Bellevue
$241,800
Charlotte
$175,500
Choosing Charlotte saves $66,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $132,600.
Sample Schools
Bellevue
The Overlake School
Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr
Bellevue Christian School
Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr
Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)
Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr
Charlotte
Charlotte Latin School
Independent · K–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr
Providence Day School
Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr
Myers Park Traditional School
Magnet (Free) · K–12
Charlotte Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr
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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.