Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Seattle?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $15,100/year less, or $196,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $15,100/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $196,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do Charleston and Seattle 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). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Seattle

Charleston averages $15,100/year less for private school (161% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $196,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$24,500/yr	-$15,100
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$13,200/yr	-$6,400
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$38,000/yr	-$18,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$20,000/yr	-$12,000
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$24,500/yr	-$15,100
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$30,500/yr	-$19,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Charleston saves $196,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $392,600.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Washington private school costs

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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.