Is private school cheaper in Boise or Knoxville?

Boise has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $10,100/year in Knoxville. That's $2,100/year less, or $27,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boise is $2,100/year less than Knoxville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $27,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Boise, $7,100/year in Knoxville.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boise averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average). Knoxville averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Boise vs Knoxville

Boise averages $2,100/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $27,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $10,100/year in Knoxville. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boise	Knoxville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$10,100/yr	-$2,100
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$7,100/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$21,400/yr	-$5,900
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$8,600/yr	-$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$10,100/yr	-$2,100
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$12,100/yr	-$2,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boise

$104,000

Knoxville

$131,300

Choosing Boise saves $27,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $54,600.

Sample Schools

Boise

The Ambrose School (Boise)

Christian Classical · PK–12 · $12,200-$14,800/yr

Boise Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$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 Boise breakdown → Full Knoxville breakdown →

Idaho 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.