Private School Cost: Charleston vs Dallas
Charleston averages $7,800/year less for private school (83% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $101,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.
Charleston
SC
$9,400
avg tuition/year
Dallas
TX
$17,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Charleston | Dallas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $9,400/yr | $17,200/yr | -$7,800 |
| Religious Schools | $6,800/yr | $9,500/yr | -$2,700 |
| Independent/Prep | $19,400/yr | $30,000/yr | -$10,600 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $8,000/yr | $14,000/yr | -$6,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $9,400/yr | $17,200/yr | -$7,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $11,300/yr | $21,000/yr | -$9,700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Charleston
$122,200
Dallas
$223,600
Choosing Charleston saves $101,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $202,800.
Sample Schools
Charleston
Porter-Gaud School
Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr
Bishop England High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr
Dallas
Greenhill School
Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr
St. Mark's School of Texas
Independent · 1–12 · $38,200/yr
Hockaday School
Independent · PK–12 · $39,800/yr
Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas
Catholic · 9–12 · $21,800/yr
Related Comparisons
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.