Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Jersey City?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. That's $11,500/year less, or $149,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $11,500/year less than Jersey City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $149,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $13,500/year in Jersey City.

How do Charleston and Jersey City 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). Jersey City averages $20,900/year ($8,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Jersey City

Charleston averages $11,500/year less for private school (122% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $149,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Jersey City

$20,900

avg tuition/year

$8,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Jersey City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$20,900/yr	-$11,500
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$13,500/yr	-$6,700
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$44,800/yr	-$25,400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$17,800/yr	-$9,800
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$20,900/yr	-$11,500
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$25,100/yr	-$13,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Jersey City

$271,700

Choosing Charleston saves $149,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $299,000.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Jersey City

Hudson Catholic Regional High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Saint Aloysius Academy (Jersey City)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Jersey City breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs New Jersey 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.