Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Tulsa?

Tulsa has lower average private school tuition at $7,000/year vs $9,400/year in Charleston. That's $2,400/year less, or $31,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tulsa is $2,400/year less than Charleston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $31,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $5,100/year in Tulsa.

How do Charleston and Tulsa 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). Tulsa averages $7,000/year ($5,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Tulsa

Tulsa averages $2,400/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $31,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Tulsa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,000/year vs $9,400/year in Charleston. Religious schools run $5,100/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Tulsa

$7,000

avg tuition/year

$5,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Tulsa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,400
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$5,100/yr	+$1,700
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$14,500/yr	+$4,900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$6,000/yr	+$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,400
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$8,400/yr	+$2,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Tulsa

$91,000

Choosing Tulsa saves $31,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $62,400.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Tulsa

Holland Hall (Tulsa)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Bishop Kelley High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Tulsa breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Oklahoma 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.