Private School Cost in South Carolina (2026)
Private schools in South Carolina average $8,950/year. 28% below national avg. Religious schools run $6,500/year; independent schools average $18,500/year.
State Average
$8,950
per year
Monthly Est.
$746
per month
Private Schools
420
in South Carolina
vs National
-$3,400
per year
Tuition by School Type in South Carolina
Average annual tuition, 2026 NCES data
Religious Schools
Catholic, Christian, Jewish, and other faith-based schools.
$6,500/yr
-19% vs national ($8,000)
Independent Schools
Non-religious private day schools and prep schools.
$18,500/yr
-26% vs national ($25,000)
Montessori Schools
Child-led learning programs, typically PK–8.
$10,800/yr
-14% vs national ($12,500)
All Private Schools (Avg)
Blended average across all types.
$8,950/yr
-28% vs national ($12,350)
Cost Range in South Carolina
25th Percentile
$5,000
More affordable options
State Average
$8,950
Typical school
75th Percentile
$14,800
Premium schools
Most South Carolina private schools fall between $5,000 and $14,800/year. Individual schools vary — always contact the school directly for exact tuition figures.
Can I Afford Private School in South Carolina?
Enter your household income to see how South Carolina's average tuition fits your budget.
Private vs Public in South Carolina
Private School (avg)
$8,950
per year, out-of-pocket
- • Avg class size: 12–15 students
- • Financial aid available (27% of students)
- • Specialized curriculum options
Public School
$11,520
per pupil, taxpayer-funded
- • Avg class size: 16–22 students
- • Free to attend (hidden costs: $1,500–$5,000/yr)
- • Quality varies widely by district
South Carolina spends $11,520/pupil in public schools (state average). Private schools charge an average of $8,950/year — a gap of $2,570/year less than public per-pupil spending.
Financial Aid in South Carolina
About 27% of private school students nationally receive need-based financial aid, averaging 48% of tuition. At South Carolina's average of $8,950/year, that's roughly $4,300/year in aid for qualifying families. Most South Carolina private schools use FAST or SSS applications — ask the admissions office to start the process.
Learn more about private school financial aid →Compare Other States
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does private school cost in South Carolina?
Private school in South Carolina averages $8,950/year — 28% below the national average of $12,350/year. Religious schools average $6,500/year; independent schools average $18,500/year. South Carolina has approximately 420 private schools. Source: NCES 2023–24.
What is the average private school tuition in South Carolina?
The average private school tuition in South Carolina is $8,950/year. That breaks down to roughly $745/month on a 12-month payment plan. Religious schools run lower at $6,500/year; independent schools average $18,500/year.
How does South Carolina private school cost compare to the national average?
South Carolina private school tuition averages $8,950/year, which is 28% below the national average ($12,350/year). South Carolina is one of the more affordable states for private education, with a higher share of parish-subsidized religious schools keeping costs down.
How many private schools are in South Carolina?
South Carolina has approximately 420 private schools. These include religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, and other faith-based) schools, independent schools, Montessori programs, and boarding schools. Source: NCES Private School Universe Survey.
Can I afford private school in South Carolina?
A common guideline is to keep private school tuition under 10–15% of gross household income. At South Carolina's average of $8,950/year, that means a household income of $75,000+ is generally needed without financial stress. About 27% of private school families receive need-based aid averaging 48% of tuition — contact the school's admissions office to learn about aid options.
Private School Calculator
Estimate tuition by grade level and school type for your budget.
K–12 Total Cost
See what 13 years of private school really costs with tuition inflation.
Financial Aid Calculator
Estimate your aid eligibility based on income and family size.
All States Comparison
Compare private school costs across all 50 states side by side.