PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Lincoln vs Memphis

Lincoln averages $3,600/year less for private school (50% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $10,800/year in Memphis. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Lincoln

NE

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg
Lower cost

Memphis

TN

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Lincoln Memphis Difference
All Schools (Average) $7,200/yr $10,800/yr -$3,600
Religious Schools $5,000/yr $7,200/yr -$2,200
Independent/Prep $15,600/yr $20,500/yr -$4,900
Elementary (K-5) $6,100/yr $8,800/yr -$2,700
Middle School (6-8) $7,200/yr $10,800/yr -$3,600
High School (9-12) $8,600/yr $13,400/yr -$4,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lincoln

$93,600

Memphis

$140,400

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

Sample Schools

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

Memphis

Hutchison School

Independent · PK–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr

Memphis University School

Independent · 7–12 · $18,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Agnes Academy (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

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.