Is private school cheaper in Memphis or Tuscaloosa?

Tuscaloosa has lower average private school tuition at $7,300/year vs $10,800/year in Memphis. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tuscaloosa is $3,500/year less than Memphis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $5,400/year in Tuscaloosa.

How do Memphis and Tuscaloosa 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). Tuscaloosa averages $7,300/year ($5,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa averages $3,500/year less for private school (48% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Tuscaloosa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,300/year vs $10,800/year in Memphis. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Tuscaloosa

$7,300

avg tuition/year

$5,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	Tuscaloosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$7,300/yr	+$3,500
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$5,400/yr	+$1,800
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$14,800/yr	+$5,700
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$6,200/yr	+$2,600
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$7,300/yr	+$3,500
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$8,800/yr	+$4,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

Tuscaloosa

$94,900

Choosing Tuscaloosa saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

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

Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

Christian Academy of Tuscaloosa

Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,400/yr

Full Memphis breakdown → Full Tuscaloosa breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Alabama 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.