Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or Lakewood?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. That's $3,300/year less, or $42,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $3,300/year less than Lakewood. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $42,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $8,700/year in Lakewood.

How do Knoxville and Lakewood 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). Lakewood averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs Lakewood

Knoxville averages $3,300/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $42,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Knoxville	Lakewood	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$13,400/yr	-$3,300
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$8,700/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$21,400/yr	$26,500/yr	-$5,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$11,400/yr	-$2,800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$13,400/yr	-$3,300
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$16,100/yr	-$4,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

Lakewood

$174,200

Choosing Knoxville saves $42,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $85,800.

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Full Knoxville breakdown → Full Lakewood breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Colorado 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.