Is private school cheaper in Chesapeake or Knoxville?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $14,300/year in Chesapeake. That's $4,200/year less, or $54,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $4,200/year less than Chesapeake. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $54,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Chesapeake, $7,100/year in Knoxville.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Chesapeake averages $14,300/year ($1,950 above average). Knoxville averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Chesapeake vs Knoxville

Knoxville averages $4,200/year less for private school (42% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $54,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $14,300/year in Chesapeake. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Chesapeake

$14,300

avg tuition/year

$1,950 above national avg

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chesapeake	Knoxville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,300/yr	$10,100/yr	+$4,200
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$7,100/yr	+$2,700
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$21,400/yr	+$7,100
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$8,600/yr	+$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$14,300/yr	$10,100/yr	+$4,200
High School (9-12)	$17,200/yr	$12,100/yr	+$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chesapeake

$185,900

Knoxville

$131,300

Choosing Knoxville saves $54,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $109,200.

Sample Schools

Chesapeake

Greenbrier Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Norfolk Academy

Independent · K–12 · $23,800/yr

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Chesapeake breakdown → Full Knoxville breakdown →

Virginia 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.