Is private school cheaper in Memphis or Nashville?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. That's $3,400/year less, or $44,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $3,400/year less than Nashville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $44,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $8,800/year in Nashville.

How do Memphis and Nashville 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). Nashville averages $14,200/year ($1,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs Nashville

Memphis averages $3,400/year less for private school (31% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $44,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	Nashville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$14,200/yr	-$3,400
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$8,800/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$26,500/yr	-$6,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$11,600/yr	-$2,800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$14,200/yr	-$3,400
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$17,500/yr	-$4,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

Nashville

$184,600

Choosing Memphis saves $44,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $88,400.

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

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 Memphis breakdown → Full Nashville breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs

Related Comparisons

Nashville vs Atlanta →

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.