Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Knoxville?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $8,500/year less, or $110,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $8,500/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $110,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $7,100/year in Knoxville.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Knoxville averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Knoxville

Knoxville averages $8,500/year less for private school (84% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $110,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Knoxville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$10,100/yr	+$8,500
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$7,100/yr	+$5,600
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$21,400/yr	+$18,300
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$8,600/yr	+$7,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$10,100/yr	+$8,500
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$12,100/yr	+$10,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Knoxville

$131,300

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

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

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 Bellevue breakdown → Full Knoxville breakdown →

Washington 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.