Is private school cheaper in Memphis or Richmond?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $3,700/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Memphis and Richmond 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). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs Richmond

Memphis averages $3,700/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$14,500/yr	-$3,700
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$9,200/yr	-$2,000
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$27,000/yr	-$6,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$11,800/yr	-$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$14,500/yr	-$3,700
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$18,000/yr	-$4,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Memphis saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

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

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Memphis breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Virginia 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.