Is private school cheaper in Charleston or McKinney?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $12,600/year in McKinney. That's $3,200/year less, or $41,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $3,200/year less than McKinney. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $41,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $8,600/year in McKinney.

How do Charleston and McKinney 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). McKinney averages $12,600/year ($250 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs McKinney

Charleston averages $3,200/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $41,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $12,600/year in McKinney. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

McKinney

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	McKinney	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$12,600/yr	-$3,200
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$8,600/yr	-$1,800
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$26,600/yr	-$7,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$10,700/yr	-$2,700
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$12,600/yr	-$3,200
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$15,100/yr	-$3,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

McKinney

$163,800

Choosing Charleston saves $41,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $83,200.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

McKinney

Calvary Christian Academy (McKinney)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,800/yr

McKinney Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full McKinney 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.