Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Chesapeake?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $14,300/year in Chesapeake. That's $4,900/year less, or $63,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $4,900/year less than Chesapeake. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $63,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $9,800/year in Chesapeake.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Charleston averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average). Chesapeake averages $14,300/year ($1,950 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Chesapeake

Charleston averages $4,900/year less for private school (52% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $14,300/year in Chesapeake. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Chesapeake

$14,300

avg tuition/year

$1,950 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Chesapeake	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$14,300/yr	-$4,900
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$9,800/yr	-$3,000
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$28,500/yr	-$9,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$12,200/yr	-$4,200
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$14,300/yr	-$4,900
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$17,200/yr	-$5,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Chesapeake

$185,900

Choosing Charleston saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Chesapeake

Greenbrier Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Norfolk Academy

Independent · K–12 · $23,800/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Chesapeake breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs 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.