Is private school cheaper in Nashville or Surprise?

Surprise has lower average private school tuition at $9,500/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Surprise is $4,700/year less than Nashville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,800/year in Nashville, $7,100/year in Surprise.

How do Nashville and Surprise 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). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Nashville vs Surprise

Surprise averages $4,700/year less for private school (49% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Surprise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,500/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Nashville	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,200/yr	$9,500/yr	+$4,700
Religious Schools	$8,800/yr	$7,100/yr	+$1,700
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$18,100/yr	+$8,400
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$8,100/yr	+$3,500
Middle School (6-8)	$14,200/yr	$9,500/yr	+$4,700
High School (9-12)	$17,500/yr	$11,400/yr	+$6,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Nashville

$184,600

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Surprise saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

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

Surprise

Surprise Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Holy Cross School (Surprise AZ)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Full Nashville breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Arizona 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.