Is private school cheaper in Memphis or Raleigh?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $2,200/year less than Raleigh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $8,200/year in Raleigh.

How do Memphis and Raleigh 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). Raleigh averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs Raleigh

Memphis averages $2,200/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $13,000/year in Raleigh. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Raleigh

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	Raleigh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$13,000/yr	-$2,200
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$8,200/yr	-$1,000
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$24,500/yr	-$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$10,600/yr	-$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$13,000/yr	-$2,200
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$16,000/yr	-$2,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

Raleigh

$169,000

Choosing Memphis saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

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

Raleigh

Ravenscroft School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Raleigh Charter High School

Charter (Free) · 9–12

Full Memphis breakdown → Full Raleigh breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs North Carolina private school costs

Related Comparisons

Raleigh vs Charlotte → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.