Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or Tacoma?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $3,600/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Knoxville and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs Tacoma

Knoxville averages $3,600/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Knoxville	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$13,700/yr	-$3,600
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$9,400/yr	-$2,300
Independent/Prep	$21,400/yr	$29,400/yr	-$8,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$11,600/yr	-$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$13,700/yr	-$3,600
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$16,400/yr	-$4,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Knoxville saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Knoxville breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Washington 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.