Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Cincinnati?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. That's $2,400/year less, or $31,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $2,400/year less than Cincinnati. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $31,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $7,600/year in Cincinnati.

How do Charleston and Cincinnati 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). Cincinnati averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Cincinnati

Charleston averages $2,400/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $31,200 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Cincinnati

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Cincinnati	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$11,800/yr	-$2,400
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$7,600/yr	-$800
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$22,000/yr	-$2,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$9,600/yr	-$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$11,800/yr	-$2,400
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$14,600/yr	-$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Cincinnati

$153,400

Choosing Charleston saves $31,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $62,400.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Cincinnati

Cincinnati Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,400-$26,800/yr

Seven Hills School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Moeller High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Elder High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Cincinnati breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Ohio private school costs

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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.