Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or Palmdale?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. That's $4,800/year less, or $62,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $4,800/year less than Palmdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $62,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $9,700/year in Palmdale.

How do Knoxville and Palmdale 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). Palmdale averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs Palmdale

Knoxville averages $4,800/year less for private school (48% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Palmdale

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Knoxville	Palmdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$14,900/yr	-$4,800
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$9,700/yr	-$2,600
Independent/Prep	$21,400/yr	$29,000/yr	-$7,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$12,700/yr	-$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$14,900/yr	-$4,800
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$17,900/yr	-$5,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

Palmdale

$193,700

Choosing Knoxville saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Palmdale

Palmdale Aerospace Academy (Private)

Independent · K–12 · $10,200/yr

St. Mary School (Palmdale)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Full Knoxville breakdown → Full Palmdale breakdown →

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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.