Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Knoxville?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. That's $8,100/year less, or $105,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $8,100/year less than Burlington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $105,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $7,100/year in Knoxville.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Burlington averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Knoxville averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Knoxville

Knoxville averages $8,100/year less for private school (80% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $105,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Knoxville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$10,100/yr	+$8,100
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$7,100/yr	+$3,900
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$21,400/yr	+$18,400
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$8,600/yr	+$6,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$10,100/yr	+$8,100
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$12,100/yr	+$9,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Knoxville

$131,300

Choosing Knoxville saves $105,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $210,600.

Sample Schools

Burlington

Rice Memorial High School (Burlington VT)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Champlain Valley 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 Burlington breakdown → Full Knoxville breakdown →

Vermont 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.