Is private school cheaper in Nashville or Topeka?

Topeka has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. That's $7,300/year less, or $94,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Topeka is $7,300/year less than Nashville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $94,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,800/year in Nashville, $4,800/year in Topeka.

How do Nashville and Topeka 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). Topeka averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Nashville vs Topeka

Topeka averages $7,300/year less for private school (106% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $94,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Topeka is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $14,200/year in Nashville. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Nashville

$14,200

avg tuition/year

$1,850 above national avg

Topeka

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Nashville	Topeka	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,200/yr	$6,900/yr	+$7,300
Religious Schools	$8,800/yr	$4,800/yr	+$4,000
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$14,300/yr	+$12,200
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$5,900/yr	+$5,700
Middle School (6-8)	$14,200/yr	$6,900/yr	+$7,300
High School (9-12)	$17,500/yr	$8,300/yr	+$9,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Nashville

$184,600

Topeka

$89,700

Choosing Topeka saves $94,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $189,800.

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

Topeka

Topeka Collegiate School

Independent · K–8 · $12,400/yr

Hayden Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Full Nashville breakdown → Full Topeka breakdown →

Tennessee private school costs Kansas 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.