Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Sandy Springs?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $13,300/year in Sandy Springs. That's $3,900/year less, or $50,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $3,900/year less than Sandy Springs. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $50,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $9,200/year in Sandy Springs.

How do Charleston and Sandy Springs 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). Sandy Springs averages $13,300/year ($950 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Sandy Springs

Charleston averages $3,900/year less for private school (41% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $50,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $13,300/year in Sandy Springs. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Sandy Springs

$13,300

avg tuition/year

$950 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Sandy Springs	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$13,300/yr	-$3,900
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$9,200/yr	-$2,400
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$26,900/yr	-$7,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$11,300/yr	-$3,300
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$13,300/yr	-$3,900
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$16,000/yr	-$4,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Sandy Springs

$172,900

Choosing Charleston saves $50,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $101,400.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Sandy Springs

The Westminster Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400/yr

Holy Innocents' Episcopal School

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $30,200/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Sandy Springs breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Georgia 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.