Is private school cheaper in Nashville or Providence?

Nashville has lower average private school tuition at $14,200/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $7,800/year less, or $101,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Nashville is $7,800/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $101,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,800/year in Nashville, $12,400/year in Providence.

How do Nashville and Providence 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). Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Nashville vs Providence

Nashville averages $7,800/year less for private school (55% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $101,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Nashville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,200/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $8,800/year on the low end.

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Nashville	Providence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,200/yr	$22,000/yr	-$7,800
Religious Schools	$8,800/yr	$12,400/yr	-$3,600
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$36,000/yr	-$9,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$18,000/yr	-$6,400
Middle School (6-8)	$14,200/yr	$22,000/yr	-$7,800
High School (9-12)	$17,500/yr	$27,500/yr	-$10,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Nashville

$184,600

Providence

$286,000

Choosing Nashville saves $101,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $202,800.

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

Providence

Moses Brown School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Nashville breakdown → Full Providence breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Rhode Island private school costs

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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.