Is private school cheaper in Nashville or Scranton?

Scranton has lower average private school tuition at $12,200/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. That's $2,000/year less, or $26,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Scranton is $2,000/year less than Nashville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $26,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,800/year in Nashville, $7,800/year in Scranton.

How do Nashville and Scranton 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). Scranton averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Nashville vs Scranton

Scranton averages $2,000/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Scranton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,200/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Scranton

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Nashville	Scranton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,200/yr	$12,200/yr	+$2,000
Religious Schools	$8,800/yr	$7,800/yr	+$1,000
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$28,300/yr	-$1,800
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$10,400/yr	+$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$14,200/yr	$12,200/yr	+$2,000
High School (9-12)	$17,500/yr	$14,600/yr	+$2,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Nashville

$184,600

Scranton

$158,600

Choosing Scranton saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.

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

Scranton

Holy Cross High School (Dunmore)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Wyoming Seminary

Independent · 9–12 · $36,800-$42,000/yr

Full Nashville breakdown → Full Scranton breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Pennsylvania 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.