Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Garland?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $11,700/year in Garland. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $2,300/year less than Garland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $8,000/year in Garland.

How do Charleston and Garland 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). Garland averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Garland

Charleston averages $2,300/year less for private school (24% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $11,700/year in Garland. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Garland

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Garland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$11,700/yr	-$2,300
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$8,000/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$24,700/yr	-$5,300
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$9,900/yr	-$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$11,700/yr	-$2,300
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$14,000/yr	-$2,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Garland

$152,100

Choosing Charleston saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Garland

Lakeview Centennial Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Prince of Peace Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Garland breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Texas 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.