Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or South Bend?

South Bend has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $10,100/year in Knoxville. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in South Bend is $2,700/year less than Knoxville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $5,500/year in South Bend.

How do Knoxville and South Bend 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). South Bend averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs South Bend

South Bend averages $2,700/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

South Bend is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $10,100/year in Knoxville. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

South Bend

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Knoxville	South Bend	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$7,400/yr	+$2,700
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$5,500/yr	+$1,600
Independent/Prep	$21,400/yr	$15,400/yr	+$6,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$6,300/yr	+$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$7,400/yr	+$2,700
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$8,900/yr	+$3,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

South Bend

$96,200

Choosing South Bend saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

South Bend

Saint Joseph High School (South Bend)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

South Bend STEM Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Knoxville breakdown → Full South Bend breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Indiana 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.