Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Columbus?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $3,100/year less, or $40,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $3,100/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $40,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $8,000/year in Columbus.

How do Charleston and Columbus 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). Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Columbus

Charleston averages $3,100/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $40,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Columbus	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$12,500/yr	-$3,100
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$8,000/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$23,500/yr	-$4,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$10,200/yr	-$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$12,500/yr	-$3,100
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$15,500/yr	-$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Columbus

$162,500

Choosing Charleston saves $40,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $80,600.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Columbus

Columbus School for Girls

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Columbus Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $24,200-$26,800/yr

DeSales High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Watterson Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Columbus breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Ohio private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati → Minneapolis vs Columbus →

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.