Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or Naperville?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $3,700/year less than Naperville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $8,700/year in Naperville.

How do Knoxville and Naperville 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). Naperville averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs Naperville

Knoxville averages $3,700/year less for private school (37% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Knoxville	Naperville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$13,800/yr	-$3,700
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$8,700/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$21,400/yr	$31,900/yr	-$10,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$11,700/yr	-$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$13,800/yr	-$3,700
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$16,600/yr	-$4,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

Naperville

$179,400

Choosing Knoxville saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Full Knoxville breakdown → Full Naperville breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Illinois 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.