Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Tallahassee?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $9,900/year in Tallahassee. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $500/year less than Tallahassee. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $6,800/year in Tallahassee.

How do Charleston and Tallahassee 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). Tallahassee averages $9,900/year ($2,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Tallahassee

Charleston averages $500/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $9,900/year in Tallahassee. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tallahassee

$9,900

avg tuition/year

$2,450 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Tallahassee	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$9,900/yr	-$500
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$6,800/yr	Same
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$20,400/yr	-$1,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$8,400/yr	-$400
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$9,900/yr	-$500
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$11,900/yr	-$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Tallahassee

$128,700

Choosing Charleston saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Tallahassee

Maclay School (Tallahassee)

Independent · PK–12 · $18,400/yr

St. John Paul II Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Tallahassee breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Florida 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.