Is private school cheaper in Memphis or Murfreesboro?

Murfreesboro has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $10,800/year in Memphis. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Murfreesboro is $400/year less than Memphis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $7,400/year in Murfreesboro.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Memphis averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average). Murfreesboro averages $10,400/year ($1,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs Murfreesboro

Murfreesboro averages $400/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Murfreesboro is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,400/year vs $10,800/year in Memphis. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Murfreesboro

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	Murfreesboro	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$10,400/yr	+$400
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$7,400/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$22,100/yr	-$1,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$8,800/yr	Same
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$10,400/yr	+$400
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$12,500/yr	+$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

Murfreesboro

$135,200

Choosing Murfreesboro saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

Sample Schools

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

Murfreesboro

Siegel High School Prep

Independent · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Murfreesboro Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,800/yr

Full Memphis breakdown → Full Murfreesboro breakdown →

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.