Private School Cost: Gainesville vs Memphis
Gainesville averages $900/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.
Bottom Line
Gainesville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,900/year vs $10,800/year in Memphis. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.
Gainesville
FL
$9,900
avg tuition/year
Memphis
TN
$10,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Gainesville | Memphis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $9,900/yr | $10,800/yr | -$900 |
| Religious Schools | $6,800/yr | $7,200/yr | -$400 |
| Independent/Prep | $20,400/yr | $20,500/yr | -$100 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $8,400/yr | $8,800/yr | -$400 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $9,900/yr | $10,800/yr | -$900 |
| High School (9-12) | $11,900/yr | $13,400/yr | -$1,500 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Gainesville
$128,700
Memphis
$140,400
Choosing Gainesville saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.
Sample Schools
Gainesville
Buchholz High School (Private Prep)
Independent · 9–12 · $12,800/yr
Gainesville Christian Academy
Christian · PK–12 · $9,200-$11,400/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
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.