Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Simi Valley?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $17,200/year in Simi Valley. That's $7,800/year less, or $101,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $7,800/year less than Simi Valley. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $101,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $11,200/year in Simi Valley.

How do Charleston and Simi Valley 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). Simi Valley averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Simi Valley

Charleston averages $7,800/year less for private school (83% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $101,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $17,200/year in Simi Valley. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Simi Valley

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Simi Valley	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$17,200/yr	-$7,800
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$11,200/yr	-$4,400
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$33,600/yr	-$14,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$14,600/yr	-$6,600
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$17,200/yr	-$7,800
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$20,600/yr	-$9,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Simi Valley

$223,600

Choosing Charleston saves $101,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $202,800.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Simi Valley

Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks)

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Simi Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Simi Valley breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs California 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.