Is private school cheaper in Cary or Charleston?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $6,400/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. That's $5,100/year less, or $66,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $5,100/year less than Cary. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $66,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $4,600/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 $6,400/year ($5,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Charleston

Charleston averages $5,100/year less for private school (80% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $66,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,400/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Charleston

$6,400

avg tuition/year

$5,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Charleston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$6,400/yr	+$5,100
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$4,600/yr	+$3,500
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$12,800/yr	+$11,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$5,400/yr	+$4,400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$6,400/yr	+$5,100
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$7,700/yr	+$6,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Charleston

$83,200

Choosing Charleston saves $66,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $132,600.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/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 Cary breakdown → Full Charleston breakdown →

North Carolina 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.