Is private school cheaper in Memphis or Springfield?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $11,100/year in Springfield. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $300/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $7,000/year in Springfield.

How do Memphis and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $11,100/year ($1,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs Springfield

Memphis averages $300/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $11,100/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$11,100

avg tuition/year

$1,250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$11,100/yr	-$300
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$7,000/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$25,700/yr	-$5,200
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$9,400/yr	-$600
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$11,100/yr	-$300
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$13,300/yr	+$100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

Springfield

$144,300

Choosing Memphis saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

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

Springfield

Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Springfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Full Memphis breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Illinois 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.