Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Memphis?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $7,600/year less, or $98,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $7,600/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $98,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $7,200/year in Memphis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Chicago averages $18,400/year ($6,050 above average). Memphis averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Memphis

Memphis averages $7,600/year less for private school (70% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $98,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Memphis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$10,800/yr	+$7,600
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$7,200/yr	+$3,000
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$20,500/yr	+$11,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$8,800/yr	+$6,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$10,800/yr	+$7,600
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$13,400/yr	+$9,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Memphis

$140,400

Choosing Memphis saves $98,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $197,600.

Sample Schools

Chicago

Latin School of Chicago

Independent · JK–12 · $38,040/yr

University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Independent · N–12 · $35,700-$38,200/yr

Francis W. Parker School

Independent · JK–12 · $36,800/yr

St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/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 Chicago breakdown → Full Memphis breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Tennessee private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.