Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Plano?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $12,800/year in Plano. That's $3,400/year less, or $44,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $3,400/year less than Plano. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $44,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $8,700/year in Plano.

How do Charleston and Plano 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). Plano averages $12,800/year ($450 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Plano

Charleston averages $3,400/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $44,200 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Plano

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Plano	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$12,800/yr	-$3,400
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$8,700/yr	-$1,900
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$27,100/yr	-$7,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$10,900/yr	-$2,900
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$12,800/yr	-$3,400
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$15,400/yr	-$4,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Plano

$166,400

Choosing Charleston saves $44,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $88,400.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Plano

Prestonwood Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Parish Episcopal School (Plano)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

St. Mark the Evangelist School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Plano 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.