Is private school cheaper in Memphis or Orange County?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $10,000/year less, or $130,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $10,000/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $130,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $11,200/year in Orange County.

How do Memphis and Orange County 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). Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs Orange County

Memphis averages $10,000/year less for private school (93% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $130,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$20,800/yr	-$10,000
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$11,200/yr	-$4,000
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$34,800/yr	-$14,300
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$17,000/yr	-$8,200
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$20,800/yr	-$10,000
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$25,500/yr	-$12,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

Orange County

$270,400

Choosing Memphis saves $130,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $260,000.

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

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Memphis breakdown → Full Orange County breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs California 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.