Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Columbia?

Columbia has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $9,400/year in Charleston. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Columbia is $1,200/year less than Charleston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $6,000/year in Columbia.

How do Charleston and Columbia 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). Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Columbia

Columbia averages $1,200/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Columbia is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $9,400/year in Charleston. Religious schools run $6,000/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$8,200/yr	+$1,200
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$6,000/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$17,000/yr	+$2,400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$7,000/yr	+$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$8,200/yr	+$1,200
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$9,800/yr	+$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Columbia

$106,600

Choosing Columbia saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

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.