Is private school cheaper in Memphis or Tampa?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $1,700/year less than Tampa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $8,200/year in Tampa.

How do Memphis and Tampa 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). Tampa averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs Tampa

Memphis averages $1,700/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$12,500/yr	-$1,700
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$8,200/yr	-$1,000
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$23,500/yr	-$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$10,200/yr	-$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$12,500/yr	-$1,700
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$15,500/yr	-$2,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Memphis saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

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

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Full Memphis breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

Miami vs Tampa → Tampa vs Orlando →

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.