Is private school cheaper in Memphis or Rochester?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. That's $7,300/year less, or $94,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $7,300/year less than Rochester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $94,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $10,400/year in Rochester.

How do Memphis and Rochester 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). Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs Rochester

Memphis averages $7,300/year less for private school (68% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $94,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	Rochester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$18,100/yr	-$7,300
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$10,400/yr	-$3,200
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$38,500/yr	-$18,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$15,400/yr	-$6,600
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$18,100/yr	-$7,300
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$21,700/yr	-$8,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

Rochester

$235,300

Choosing Memphis saves $94,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $189,800.

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

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Memphis breakdown → Full Rochester breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs New York 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.