Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or Lakeland?

Lakeland has lower average private school tuition at $9,600/year vs $10,100/year in Knoxville. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lakeland is $500/year less than Knoxville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $6,600/year in Lakeland.

How do Knoxville and Lakeland 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). Lakeland averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs Lakeland

Lakeland averages $500/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Lakeland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $10,100/year in Knoxville. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lakeland

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Knoxville	Lakeland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$9,600/yr	+$500
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$6,600/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$21,400/yr	$19,800/yr	+$1,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$8,200/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$9,600/yr	+$500
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$11,500/yr	+$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

Lakeland

$124,800

Choosing Lakeland saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Lakeland

All Saints Academy (Lakeland)

Catholic · PK–12 · $13,800/yr

Victory Christian School (Lakeland)

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Knoxville breakdown → Full Lakeland breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Florida 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.