Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Virginia Beach?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. That's $3,800/year less, or $49,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $3,800/year less than Virginia Beach. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $49,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Charleston, $8,600/year in Virginia Beach.

How do Charleston and Virginia Beach 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). Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Virginia Beach

Charleston averages $3,800/year less for private school (40% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $49,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Charleston

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Virginia Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,400/yr	$13,200/yr	-$3,800
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$8,600/yr	-$1,800
Independent/Prep	$19,400/yr	$24,500/yr	-$5,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,000/yr	$10,800/yr	-$2,800
Middle School (6-8)	$9,400/yr	$13,200/yr	-$3,800
High School (9-12)	$11,300/yr	$16,200/yr	-$4,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$122,200

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Choosing Charleston saves $49,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $98,800.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Porter-Gaud School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,800/yr

Bishop England High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Virginia Beach

Norfolk Academy

Independent · 1–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

Cape Henry Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Kellam High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Virginia Beach breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs Virginia 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.