Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Nashville?

Nashville has lower average private school tuition at $14,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $4,200/year less, or $54,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Nashville is $4,200/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $54,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $8,800/year in Nashville.

How do Chicago and Nashville 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). Nashville averages $14,200/year ($1,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Nashville

Nashville averages $4,200/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $54,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Nashville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $8,800/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Nashville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$14,200/yr	+$4,200
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$8,800/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$26,500/yr	+$5,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$11,600/yr	+$3,400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$14,200/yr	+$4,200
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$17,500/yr	+$5,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Nashville

$184,600

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

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

Nashville

Montgomery Bell Academy

Independent · 7–12 · $29,400/yr

Harpeth Hall School

Independent · 5–12 · $28,800/yr

University School of Nashville

Independent · K–12 · $26,200/yr

Father Ryan High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Nashville breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Tennessee private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Chicago → Chicago vs Indianapolis → Chicago vs Columbus → Chicago vs Milwaukee →

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.