Private School Cost: Charleston vs Greenville
Greenville averages $900/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.
Bottom Line
Greenville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,500/year vs $9,400/year in Charleston. Religious schools run $6,200/year on the low end.
Charleston
SC
$9,400
avg tuition/year
Greenville
SC
$8,500
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Charleston | Greenville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $9,400/yr | $8,500/yr | +$900 |
| Religious Schools | $6,800/yr | $6,200/yr | +$600 |
| Independent/Prep | $19,400/yr | $17,600/yr | +$1,800 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $8,000/yr | $7,200/yr | +$800 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $9,400/yr | $8,500/yr | +$900 |
| High School (9-12) | $11,300/yr | $10,200/yr | +$1,100 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Charleston
$122,200
Greenville
$110,500
Choosing Greenville saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.
Sample Schools
Charleston
Porter-Gaud School
Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr
Bishop England High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr
Greenville
Greenville Technical Charter High School (Private Prep)
Independent · 9–12 · $10,800/yr
Bob Jones Academy (Greenville)
Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr
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.