Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or McKinney?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $12,600/year in McKinney. That's $2,500/year less, or $32,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $2,500/year less than McKinney. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $32,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $8,600/year in McKinney.

How do Knoxville and McKinney 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). McKinney averages $12,600/year ($250 above average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs McKinney

Knoxville averages $2,500/year less for private school (25% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $32,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $12,600/year in McKinney. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

McKinney

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Knoxville	McKinney	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$12,600/yr	-$2,500
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$8,600/yr	-$1,500
Independent/Prep	$21,400/yr	$26,600/yr	-$5,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$10,700/yr	-$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$12,600/yr	-$2,500
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$15,100/yr	-$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

McKinney

$163,800

Choosing Knoxville saves $32,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $65,000.

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

McKinney

Calvary Christian Academy (McKinney)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,800/yr

McKinney Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Knoxville breakdown → Full McKinney breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Texas 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.