Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or Rochester?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. That's $8,000/year less, or $104,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $8,000/year less than Rochester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $104,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $10,400/year in Rochester.

How do Knoxville and Rochester 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). Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs Rochester

Knoxville averages $8,000/year less for private school (79% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $104,000 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Knoxville	Rochester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$18,100/yr	-$8,000
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$10,400/yr	-$3,300
Independent/Prep	$21,400/yr	$38,500/yr	-$17,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$15,400/yr	-$6,800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$18,100/yr	-$8,000
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$21,700/yr	-$9,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

Rochester

$235,300

Choosing Knoxville saves $104,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $208,000.

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Knoxville breakdown → Full Rochester breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs New York 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.