Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Knoxville?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $1,800/year less than Anchorage. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $7,100/year in Knoxville.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Anchorage averages $11,900/year ($450 below average). Knoxville averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Knoxville

Knoxville averages $1,800/year less for private school (18% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Knoxville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$10,100/yr	+$1,800
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$7,100/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$21,400/yr	+$100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$8,600/yr	+$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$10,100/yr	+$1,800
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$12,100/yr	+$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Knoxville

$131,300

Choosing Knoxville saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full Knoxville breakdown →

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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.