Is private school cheaper in Memphis or Philadelphia?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $9,400/year less, or $122,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $9,400/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $122,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

How do Memphis and Philadelphia 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). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs Philadelphia

Memphis averages $9,400/year less for private school (87% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $122,200 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$20,200/yr	-$9,400
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$11,400/yr	-$4,200
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$36,000/yr	-$15,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$16,500/yr	-$7,700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$20,200/yr	-$9,400
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$25,000/yr	-$11,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Memphis saves $122,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $244,400.

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

Philadelphia

Episcopal Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

The Haverford School

Independent · PK–12 · $41,200/yr

Germantown Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · K–12 · $38,600/yr

La Salle College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Full Memphis breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

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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.