Is private school cheaper in McKinney or Memphis?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $12,600/year in McKinney. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $1,800/year less than McKinney. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in McKinney, $7,200/year in Memphis.

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

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

Private School Cost: McKinney vs Memphis

Memphis averages $1,800/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $12,600/year in McKinney. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

McKinney

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	McKinney	Memphis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,600/yr	$10,800/yr	+$1,800
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$7,200/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$26,600/yr	$20,500/yr	+$6,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,700/yr	$8,800/yr	+$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$12,600/yr	$10,800/yr	+$1,800
High School (9-12)	$15,100/yr	$13,400/yr	+$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

McKinney

$163,800

Memphis

$140,400

Choosing Memphis saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

Sample Schools

McKinney

Calvary Christian Academy (McKinney)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,800/yr

McKinney Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/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 McKinney breakdown → Full Memphis breakdown →

Texas 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.