Is private school cheaper in Nashville or Phoenix?

Phoenix has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Phoenix over Nashville?

Average tuition in Phoenix is $800/year less than Nashville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,800/year in Nashville, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do Nashville and Phoenix 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). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Nashville vs Phoenix

Phoenix averages $800/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Nashville	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,200/yr	$13,400/yr	+$800
Religious Schools	$8,800/yr	$8,600/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$24,500/yr	+$2,000
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$11,000/yr	+$600
Middle School (6-8)	$14,200/yr	$13,400/yr	+$800
High School (9-12)	$17,500/yr	$16,500/yr	+$1,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Nashville

$184,600

Phoenix

$174,200

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

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

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Nashville breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

Nashville vs Atlanta → Denver vs Phoenix → San Francisco vs Phoenix → Boston vs Phoenix →

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.