Is private school cheaper in Memphis or Providence?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $11,200/year less, or $145,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $11,200/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $145,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $12,400/year in Providence.

How do Memphis and Providence 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). Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs Providence

Memphis averages $11,200/year less for private school (104% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $145,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	Providence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$22,000/yr	-$11,200
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$12,400/yr	-$5,200
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$36,000/yr	-$15,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$18,000/yr	-$9,200
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$22,000/yr	-$11,200
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$27,500/yr	-$14,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

Providence

$286,000

Choosing Memphis saves $145,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $291,200.

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

Providence

Moses Brown School

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

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Memphis breakdown → Full Providence breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Rhode Island 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.