Is private school cheaper in Lakeland or Nashville?

Lakeland has lower average private school tuition at $9,600/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. That's $4,600/year less, or $59,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lakeland over Nashville?

Average tuition in Lakeland is $4,600/year less than Nashville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $59,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Lakeland, $8,800/year in Nashville.

How do Lakeland and Nashville private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lakeland averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average). Nashville averages $14,200/year ($1,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Lakeland vs Nashville

Lakeland averages $4,600/year less for private school (48% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $59,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Lakeland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Lakeland

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakeland	Nashville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,600/yr	$14,200/yr	-$4,600
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$8,800/yr	-$2,200
Independent/Prep	$19,800/yr	$26,500/yr	-$6,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$11,600/yr	-$3,400
Middle School (6-8)	$9,600/yr	$14,200/yr	-$4,600
High School (9-12)	$11,500/yr	$17,500/yr	-$6,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakeland

$124,800

Nashville

$184,600

Choosing Lakeland saves $59,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $119,600.

Sample Schools

Lakeland

All Saints Academy (Lakeland)

Catholic · PK–12 · $13,800/yr

Victory Christian School (Lakeland)

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Nashville

Montgomery Bell Academy

Independent · 7–12 · $29,400/yr

Harpeth Hall School

Independent · 5–12 · $28,800/yr

University School of Nashville

Independent · K–12 · $26,200/yr

Father Ryan High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Full Lakeland breakdown → Full Nashville breakdown →

Florida private school costs Tennessee private school costs

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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.