Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Dallas?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $6,400/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. That's $10,800/year less, or $140,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $10,800/year less than Dallas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $140,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Charleston, $9,500/year in Dallas.

How do Charleston and Dallas private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Charleston averages $6,400/year ($5,950 below average). Dallas averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Dallas

Charleston averages $10,800/year less for private school (169% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $140,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,400/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Charleston

$6,400

avg tuition/year

$5,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Dallas	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,400/yr	$17,200/yr	-$10,800
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$9,500/yr	-$4,900
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$30,000/yr	-$17,200
Elementary (K-5)	$5,400/yr	$14,000/yr	-$8,600
Middle School (6-8)	$6,400/yr	$17,200/yr	-$10,800
High School (9-12)	$7,700/yr	$21,000/yr	-$13,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$83,200

Dallas

$223,600

Choosing Charleston saves $140,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $280,800.

Sample Schools

Charleston

Charleston Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Liberty Christian Academy (Charleston WV)

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Dallas

Greenhill School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

St. Mark's School of Texas

Independent · 1–12 · $38,200/yr

Hockaday School

Independent · PK–12 · $39,800/yr

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,800/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Dallas breakdown →

West Virginia private school costs Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Dallas vs Austin → Dallas vs San Antonio → Fort Worth vs Dallas →

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.