Is private school cheaper in Athens or Little Rock?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $10,100/year in Athens. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Little Rock over Athens?

Average tuition in Little Rock is $3,500/year less than Athens. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Athens, $5,000/year in Little Rock.

How do Athens and Little Rock private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Athens averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average). Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Athens vs Little Rock

Little Rock averages $3,500/year less for private school (53% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $10,100/year in Athens. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Athens

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Athens	Little Rock	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$6,600/yr	+$3,500
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$5,000/yr	+$2,000
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$13,100/yr	+$7,400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$5,600/yr	+$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$6,600/yr	+$3,500
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$7,900/yr	+$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Athens

$131,300

Little Rock

$85,800

Choosing Little Rock saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

Sample Schools

Athens

Athens Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Prince Avenue Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Full Athens breakdown → Full Little Rock 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.