Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or Springfield?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $12,400/year less, or $161,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $12,400/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $161,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $12,200/year in Springfield.

How do Knoxville and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs Springfield

Knoxville averages $12,400/year less for private school (123% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $161,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Knoxville	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$22,500/yr	-$12,400
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$12,200/yr	-$5,100
Independent/Prep	$21,400/yr	$45,800/yr	-$24,400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$19,100/yr	-$10,500
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$22,500/yr	-$12,400
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$27,000/yr	-$14,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

Springfield

$292,500

Choosing Knoxville saves $161,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $322,400.

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Knoxville breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Massachusetts 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.