Is private school cheaper in Honolulu or Nashville?

Nashville has lower average private school tuition at $14,200/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $6,000/year less, or $78,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Nashville is $6,000/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $78,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Honolulu, $8,800/year in Nashville.

How do Honolulu and Nashville private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average). Nashville averages $14,200/year ($1,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Honolulu vs Nashville

Nashville averages $6,000/year less for private school (42% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Nashville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,200/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $8,800/year on the low end.

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Honolulu	Nashville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$14,200/yr	+$6,000
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$8,800/yr	+$4,100
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$26,500/yr	+$11,100
Elementary (K-5)	$17,200/yr	$11,600/yr	+$5,600
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$14,200/yr	+$6,000
High School (9-12)	$24,200/yr	$17,500/yr	+$6,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Honolulu

$262,600

Nashville

$184,600

Choosing Nashville saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.

Sample Schools

Honolulu

Punahou School

Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr

Iolani School

Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr

Saint Louis School (Honolulu)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/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 Honolulu breakdown → Full Nashville breakdown →

Hawaii 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.