Is private school cheaper in Cary or Charleston?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. That's $2,100/year less, or $27,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $2,100/year less than Cary. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $27,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $6,800/year in Charleston.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cary averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Charleston averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Charleston

Charleston averages $2,100/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $27,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Charleston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$9,400/yr	+$2,100
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$6,800/yr	+$1,300
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$19,400/yr	+$4,700
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$8,000/yr	+$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$9,400/yr	+$2,100
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$11,300/yr	+$2,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Charleston

$122,200

Choosing Charleston saves $27,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $54,600.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/yr

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Cary breakdown → Full Charleston breakdown →

North Carolina 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.