Is private school cheaper in Kansas City or Knoxville?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $12,800/year in Kansas City. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $2,700/year less than Kansas City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Kansas City, $7,100/year in Knoxville.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Kansas City averages $12,800/year ($450 above average). Knoxville averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Kansas City vs Knoxville

Knoxville averages $2,700/year less for private school (27% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $12,800/year in Kansas City. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Kansas City

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Kansas City	Knoxville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,800/yr	$10,100/yr	+$2,700
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$1,100
Independent/Prep	$24,000/yr	$21,400/yr	+$2,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,400/yr	$8,600/yr	+$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$12,800/yr	$10,100/yr	+$2,700
High School (9-12)	$15,800/yr	$12,100/yr	+$3,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Kansas City

$166,400

Knoxville

$131,300

Choosing Knoxville saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

Sample Schools

Kansas City

Pembroke Hill School

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

Rockhurst High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Bishop Miege High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Teresa's Academy (KC)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Kansas City breakdown → Full Knoxville breakdown →

Missouri 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.