Is private school cheaper in Cincinnati or Memphis?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $1,000/year less than Cincinnati. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $13,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Cincinnati, $7,200/year in Memphis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cincinnati averages $11,800/year ($550 below average). Memphis averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Cincinnati vs Memphis

Memphis averages $1,000/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Cincinnati

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cincinnati	Memphis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$10,800/yr	+$1,000
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$7,200/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$20,500/yr	+$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$8,800/yr	+$800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$10,800/yr	+$1,000
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$13,400/yr	+$1,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cincinnati

$153,400

Memphis

$140,400

Choosing Memphis saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

Sample Schools

Cincinnati

Cincinnati Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,400-$26,800/yr

Seven Hills School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Moeller High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Elder High School

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

Ohio 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.