Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Miami?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $6,400/year vs $18,600/year in Miami. That's $12,200/year less, or $158,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $12,200/year less than Miami. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $158,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Charleston, $10,800/year in Miami.

How do Charleston and Miami 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). Miami averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Miami

Charleston averages $12,200/year less for private school (191% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $158,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,400/year vs $18,600/year in Miami. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Charleston

$6,400

avg tuition/year

$5,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Miami

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Miami	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,400/yr	$18,600/yr	-$12,200
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$10,800/yr	-$6,200
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$34,000/yr	-$21,200
Elementary (K-5)	$5,400/yr	$15,500/yr	-$10,100
Middle School (6-8)	$6,400/yr	$18,600/yr	-$12,200
High School (9-12)	$7,700/yr	$23,200/yr	-$15,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$83,200

Miami

$241,800

Choosing Charleston saves $158,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $317,200.

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

Miami

Ransom Everglades School

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800-$45,200/yr

Palmer Trinity School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,600/yr

Christopher Columbus High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Belen Jesuit Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $15,900/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Miami breakdown →

West Virginia private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

Miami vs Tampa → Miami vs Orlando → Jacksonville vs Miami →

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.