Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Trenton?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. That's $7,400/year less, or $96,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $7,400/year less than Trenton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $96,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $10,800/year in Trenton.

How do Charleston and Trenton 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). Trenton averages $16,800/year ($4,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Trenton

Charleston averages $7,400/year less for private school (79% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $96,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Trenton

$16,800

avg tuition/year

$4,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Trenton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$16,800/yr	-$7,400
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$10,800/yr	-$4,000
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$35,800/yr	-$16,400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$14,300/yr	-$6,300
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$16,800/yr	-$7,400
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$20,200/yr	-$8,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Trenton

$218,400

Choosing Charleston saves $96,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $192,400.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Trenton

Notre Dame High School (Trenton NJ)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Trenton Catholic Academy

Catholic · K–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Trenton breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs New Jersey 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.