Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Hayward?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $19,100/year in Hayward. That's $9,700/year less, or $126,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $9,700/year less than Hayward. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $126,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $12,400/year in Hayward.

How do Charleston and Hayward 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). Hayward averages $19,100/year ($6,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Hayward

Charleston averages $9,700/year less for private school (103% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $126,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $19,100/year in Hayward. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Hayward

$19,100

avg tuition/year

$6,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Hayward	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$19,100/yr	-$9,700
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$12,400/yr	-$5,600
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$37,200/yr	-$17,800
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$16,200/yr	-$8,200
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$19,100/yr	-$9,700
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$22,900/yr	-$11,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Hayward

$248,300

Choosing Charleston saves $126,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $252,200.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Hayward

Moreau Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Calvary Christian Academy (Hayward)

Christian · K–12 · $12,800-$14,600/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Hayward 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.