Is private school cheaper in Frederick or Memphis?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $5,900/year less, or $76,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $5,900/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $76,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Frederick, $7,200/year in Memphis.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average). Memphis averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Frederick vs Memphis

Memphis averages $5,900/year less for private school (55% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $76,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Frederick	Memphis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,700/yr	$10,800/yr	+$5,900
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$7,200/yr	+$4,100
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$20,500/yr	+$14,600
Elementary (K-5)	$14,200/yr	$8,800/yr	+$5,400
Middle School (6-8)	$16,700/yr	$10,800/yr	+$5,900
High School (9-12)	$20,000/yr	$13,400/yr	+$6,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Frederick

$217,100

Memphis

$140,400

Choosing Memphis saves $76,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $153,400.

Sample Schools

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $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 Frederick breakdown → Full Memphis breakdown →

Maryland 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.