Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or Lowell?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $13,500/year less, or $175,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $13,500/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $175,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $12,800/year in Lowell.

How do Knoxville and Lowell 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). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs Lowell

Knoxville averages $13,500/year less for private school (134% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $175,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Knoxville	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$23,600/yr	-$13,500
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$12,800/yr	-$5,700
Independent/Prep	$21,400/yr	$48,100/yr	-$26,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$20,100/yr	-$11,500
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$23,600/yr	-$13,500
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$28,300/yr	-$16,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Knoxville saves $175,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $351,000.

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Knoxville breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Massachusetts 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.