Is private school cheaper in Memphis or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $10,800/year in Memphis. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $800/year less than Memphis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Memphis, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

How do Memphis and Wilmington 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). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Memphis vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $800/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Memphis	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,800/yr	$10,000/yr	+$800
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$7,100/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$21,100/yr	-$600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$8,500/yr	+$300
Middle School (6-8)	$10,800/yr	$10,000/yr	+$800
High School (9-12)	$13,400/yr	$12,000/yr	+$1,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Memphis

$140,400

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.

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

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Memphis breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs North Carolina 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.