Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or Tucson?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $10,800/year in Tucson. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $700/year less than Tucson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $7,200/year in Tucson.

How do Knoxville and Tucson 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). Tucson averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs Tucson

Knoxville averages $700/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $10,800/year in Tucson. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tucson

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Knoxville	Tucson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$10,800/yr	-$700
Religious Schools	$7,100/yr	$7,200/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$21,400/yr	$20,500/yr	+$900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$8,800/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$10,800/yr	-$700
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$13,400/yr	-$1,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

Tucson

$140,400

Choosing Knoxville saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Tucson

Basis Tucson North

Charter (Free) · 5–12

Salpointe Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,200-$11,800/yr

Tanque Verde School

Public District · K–12

Full Knoxville breakdown → Full Tucson breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Arizona 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.