Is private school cheaper in Cambridge or Memphis?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $21,200/year less, or $275,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Memphis over Cambridge?

Average tuition in Memphis is $21,200/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $275,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,300/year in Cambridge, $7,200/year in Memphis.

How do Cambridge and Memphis private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cambridge averages $32,000/year ($19,650 above average). Memphis averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Memphis

Memphis averages $21,200/year less for private school (196% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $275,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cambridge	Memphis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$32,000/yr	$10,800/yr	+$21,200
Religious Schools	$17,300/yr	$7,200/yr	+$10,100
Independent/Prep	$65,000/yr	$20,500/yr	+$44,500
Elementary (K-5)	$27,200/yr	$8,800/yr	+$18,400
Middle School (6-8)	$32,000/yr	$10,800/yr	+$21,200
High School (9-12)	$38,400/yr	$13,400/yr	+$25,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cambridge

$416,000

Memphis

$140,400

Choosing Memphis saves $275,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $551,200.

Sample Schools

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr

Memphis

Hutchison School

Independent · PK–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr

Memphis University School

Independent · 7–12 · $18,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Agnes Academy (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

Full Cambridge breakdown → Full Memphis breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.