Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Little Rock?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $6,400/year vs $6,600/year in Little Rock. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $200/year less than Little Rock. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Charleston, $5,000/year in Little Rock.

How do Charleston and Little Rock 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). Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Little Rock

Charleston averages $200/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Charleston

$6,400

avg tuition/year

$5,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Little Rock	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,400/yr	$6,600/yr	-$200
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$5,000/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$13,100/yr	-$300
Elementary (K-5)	$5,400/yr	$5,600/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$6,400/yr	$6,600/yr	-$200
High School (9-12)	$7,700/yr	$7,900/yr	-$200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$83,200

Little Rock

$85,800

Choosing Charleston saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

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

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Little Rock breakdown →

West Virginia private school costs Arkansas 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.