Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Memphis?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $12,800/year less, or $166,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Memphis over Lowell?

Average tuition in Memphis is $12,800/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $166,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $7,200/year in Memphis.

How do Lowell and Memphis private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average). Memphis averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Memphis

Memphis averages $12,800/year less for private school (119% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $166,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Memphis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$10,800/yr	+$12,800
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$7,200/yr	+$5,600
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$20,500/yr	+$27,600
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$8,800/yr	+$11,300
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$10,800/yr	+$12,800
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$13,400/yr	+$14,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Memphis

$140,400

Choosing Memphis saves $166,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $332,800.

Sample Schools

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/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

Full Lowell breakdown → Full Memphis breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Tennessee 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.