Is private school cheaper in Nashville or New York City?

Nashville has lower average private school tuition at $14,200/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $24,300/year less, or $315,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Nashville over New York City?

Average tuition in Nashville is $24,300/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $315,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,800/year in Nashville, $17,500/year in New York City.

How do Nashville and New York City private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Nashville averages $14,200/year ($1,850 above average). New York City averages $38,500/year ($26,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Nashville vs New York City

Nashville averages $24,300/year less for private school (171% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $315,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Nashville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,200/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. Religious schools run $8,800/year on the low end.

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Lower cost

New York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Nashville	New York City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,200/yr	$38,500/yr	-$24,300
Religious Schools	$8,800/yr	$17,500/yr	-$8,700
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$58,000/yr	-$31,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$32,000/yr	-$20,400
Middle School (6-8)	$14,200/yr	$38,500/yr	-$24,300
High School (9-12)	$17,500/yr	$48,000/yr	-$30,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Nashville

$184,600

New York City

$500,500

Choosing Nashville saves $315,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $631,800.

Sample Schools

Nashville

Montgomery Bell Academy

Independent · 7–12 · $29,400/yr

Harpeth Hall School

Independent · 5–12 · $28,800/yr

University School of Nashville

Independent · K–12 · $26,200/yr

Father Ryan High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

New York City

Dalton School

Independent · K–12 · $60,310/yr

Trinity School NYC

Independent · K–12 · $59,900/yr

Horace Mann School

Independent · K–12 · $59,200/yr

Regis High School

Catholic (tuition-free) · 9–12

Full Nashville breakdown → Full New York City breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs New York private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → New York vs Philadelphia → New York vs Chicago → Nashville vs Atlanta →

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.