Is private school cheaper in Memphis or New Orleans?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $1,000/year less than New Orleans. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $13,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

How do Memphis and New Orleans 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). New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs New Orleans

Memphis averages $1,000/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$11,800/yr	-$1,000
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$7,600/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$22,000/yr	-$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$9,600/yr	-$800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$11,800/yr	-$1,000
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$14,600/yr	-$1,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing Memphis saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

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

New Orleans

Tulane-affiliated University Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr

Jesuit High School New Orleans

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr

Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)

Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr

Brother Martin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Memphis breakdown → Full New Orleans breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Louisiana 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.