Is private school cheaper in Nashville or San Jose?

Nashville has lower average private school tuition at $14,200/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $11,000/year less, or $143,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Nashville is $11,000/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $143,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,800/year in Nashville, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Nashville and San Jose 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). San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Nashville vs San Jose

Nashville averages $11,000/year less for private school (77% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $143,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Nashville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,200/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $8,800/year on the low end.

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Nashville	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,200/yr	$25,200/yr	-$11,000
Religious Schools	$8,800/yr	$13,800/yr	-$5,000
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$40,500/yr	-$14,000
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$20,500/yr	-$8,900
Middle School (6-8)	$14,200/yr	$25,200/yr	-$11,000
High School (9-12)	$17,500/yr	$31,200/yr	-$13,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Nashville

$184,600

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Nashville saves $143,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $286,000.

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

San Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/yr

Full Nashville breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Jose → San Francisco vs San Jose → 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.