Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or Lafayette?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $10,100/year in Knoxville. That's $3,900/year less, or $50,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lafayette is $3,900/year less than Knoxville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $50,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $4,600/year in Lafayette.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Knoxville averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average). Lafayette averages $6,200/year ($6,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs Lafayette

Lafayette averages $3,900/year less for private school (63% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $50,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $10,100/year in Knoxville. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Knoxville	Lafayette	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$6,200/yr	+$3,900
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$4,600/yr	+$2,500
Independent/Prep	$21,400/yr	$14,900/yr	+$6,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$5,300/yr	+$3,300
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$6,200/yr	+$3,900
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$7,400/yr	+$4,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

Lafayette

$80,600

Choosing Lafayette saves $50,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $101,400.

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Knoxville breakdown → Full Lafayette breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Louisiana 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.