Is private school cheaper in Denver or Knoxville?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. That's $6,300/year less, or $81,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $6,300/year less than Denver. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $81,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Denver, $7,100/year in Knoxville.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Denver averages $16,400/year ($4,050 above average). Knoxville averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Denver vs Knoxville

Knoxville averages $6,300/year less for private school (62% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $81,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $16,400/year in Denver. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Denver

$16,400

avg tuition/year

$4,050 above national avg

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Denver	Knoxville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,400/yr	$10,100/yr	+$6,300
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$7,100/yr	+$2,700
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$21,400/yr	+$7,100
Elementary (K-5)	$13,500/yr	$8,600/yr	+$4,900
Middle School (6-8)	$16,400/yr	$10,100/yr	+$6,300
High School (9-12)	$20,200/yr	$12,100/yr	+$8,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Denver

$213,200

Knoxville

$131,300

Choosing Knoxville saves $81,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $163,800.

Sample Schools

Denver

Kent Denver School

Independent · 6–12 · $35,200-$37,800/yr

Colorado Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $33,800-$36,400/yr

Regis Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Mullen High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Denver breakdown → Full Knoxville breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Tennessee private school costs

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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.