Is private school cheaper in Charleston or Riverside?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $6,400/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $8,500/year less, or $110,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $8,500/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $110,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Charleston, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Charleston and Riverside 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). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Charleston vs Riverside

Charleston averages $8,500/year less for private school (133% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $110,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,400/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Charleston

$6,400

avg tuition/year

$5,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charleston	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,400/yr	$14,900/yr	-$8,500
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$9,700/yr	-$5,100
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$29,000/yr	-$16,200
Elementary (K-5)	$5,400/yr	$12,700/yr	-$7,300
Middle School (6-8)	$6,400/yr	$14,900/yr	-$8,500
High School (9-12)	$7,700/yr	$17,900/yr	-$10,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charleston

$83,200

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Charleston saves $110,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $221,000.

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

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Charleston breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

West Virginia private school costs California 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.