Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Des Moines?

Des Moines has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $9,400/year in Charleston. That's $2,500/year less, or $32,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Des Moines is $2,500/year less than Charleston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $32,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $4,800/year in Des Moines.

How do Charleston and Des Moines 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). Des Moines averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Des Moines

Des Moines averages $2,500/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $32,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Des Moines is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $9,400/year in Charleston. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Des Moines

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Des Moines	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$6,900/yr	+$2,500
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$4,800/yr	+$2,000
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$14,400/yr	+$5,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$5,900/yr	+$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$6,900/yr	+$2,500
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$8,300/yr	+$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Des Moines

$89,700

Choosing Des Moines saves $32,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $65,000.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Des Moines

Dowling Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Des Moines Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Des Moines breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Iowa 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.