Is private school cheaper in Nashville or Sacramento?

Nashville has lower average private school tuition at $14,200/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Nashville is $1,800/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,800/year in Nashville, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

How do Nashville and Sacramento 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). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Nashville vs Sacramento

Nashville averages $1,800/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Nashville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,200/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $8,800/year on the low end.

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Nashville	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,200/yr	$16,000/yr	-$1,800
Religious Schools	$8,800/yr	$9,800/yr	-$1,000
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$28,500/yr	-$2,000
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$13,000/yr	-$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$14,200/yr	$16,000/yr	-$1,800
High School (9-12)	$17,500/yr	$19,800/yr	-$2,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Nashville

$184,600

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Nashville saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

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

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Full Nashville breakdown → Full Sacramento breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs California 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.