Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Fremont?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $20,100/year in Fremont. That's $10,700/year less, or $139,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $10,700/year less than Fremont. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $139,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $13,100/year in Fremont.

How do Charleston and Fremont 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). Fremont averages $20,100/year ($7,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Fremont

Charleston averages $10,700/year less for private school (114% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $139,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $20,100/year in Fremont. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Fremont

$20,100

avg tuition/year

$7,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Fremont	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$20,100/yr	-$10,700
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$13,100/yr	-$6,300
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$39,000/yr	-$19,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$17,100/yr	-$9,100
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$20,100/yr	-$10,700
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$24,100/yr	-$12,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Fremont

$261,300

Choosing Charleston saves $139,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $278,200.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Fremont

Mission San Jose High School (Private)

Independent · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Fremont Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $14,800-$17,200/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Fremont breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs California 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.