Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Knoxville?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $8,700/year less, or $113,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Knoxville over Alexandria?

Average tuition in Knoxville is $8,700/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $113,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $7,100/year in Knoxville.

How do Alexandria and Knoxville private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Alexandria averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Knoxville averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Knoxville

Knoxville averages $8,700/year less for private school (86% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $113,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Knoxville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$10,100/yr	+$8,700
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$7,100/yr	+$5,800
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$21,400/yr	+$16,200
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$8,600/yr	+$7,400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$10,100/yr	+$8,700
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$12,100/yr	+$10,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Knoxville

$131,300

Choosing Knoxville saves $113,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $226,200.

Sample Schools

Alexandria

Episcopal High School (Alexandria VA)

Independent (Episcopal) · 9–12 · $65,800/yr

Bishop Ireton High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Alexandria breakdown → Full Knoxville breakdown →

Virginia private school costs Tennessee 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.