Is private school cheaper in Knoxville or Waco?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $10,100/year in Waco. That's $0/year less, or $0 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $0/year less than Waco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $0 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,100/year in Knoxville, $6,900/year in Waco.

How do Knoxville and Waco 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). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Knoxville vs Waco

Both cities average about the same for private school tuition.

Bottom Line

Both cities average around $10,100/year for private school. The difference shows up in school type: religious schools are much cheaper than independent prep.

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

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

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Knoxville

$131,300

Waco

$131,300

Sample Schools

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Knoxville breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Texas 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.