Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or Portland?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $8,100/year less, or $105,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $8,100/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $105,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $10,400/year in Portland.

How do Knoxville and Portland 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). Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs Portland

Knoxville averages $8,100/year less for private school (80% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $105,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Knoxville	Portland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$18,200/yr	-$8,100
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$10,400/yr	-$3,300
Independent/Prep	$21,400/yr	$31,500/yr	-$10,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$14,800/yr	-$6,200
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$18,200/yr	-$8,100
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$22,500/yr	-$10,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

Portland

$236,600

Choosing Knoxville saves $105,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $210,600.

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Knoxville breakdown → Full Portland breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Oregon private school costs

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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.