For the 2026 school year, there are 607 private schools serving 113,551 students in Tennessee (there are 1,910 public schools, serving 1,002,371 students). 10% of all K-12 students in Tennessee attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $13,520 for elementary schools and $14,602 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Tennessee include Memphis University School, Lipscomb Academy, and University School Of Nashville.
The average acceptance rate is 83% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 20% and the student-teacher ratio is 10:1.
Overview
This State (TN)
US
# Schools
607 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
113,551 Students
5,698,692 Students
% Average Students of Color
20%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
11,102 Teachers
507,989 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
54%
55%
Average Class Size
15 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
15 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1273
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$13,439
$14,883
Average Summer Program Cost
$447
$1,136
Average % on Financial Aid
25%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$6,697
$7,137
Average Acceptance Rate
83%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$55.95 million
$61.95 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
0.65
# American Indian Students
308 Students
29,844 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
2,796 Students
265,009 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
4,324 Students
507,121 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
9%
# Black Students
7,095 Students
416,612 Students
% Black Students
6%
7%
# White Students
68,703 Students
2,932,330 Students
% White Students
61%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
87 Students
20,066 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
28,594 Students
1,472,325 Students
% of Others Students
26%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
12 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
9 sports
7 sports
Top-Ranked Tennessee Private Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: East Memphis (8 schools), Green Hills (8 schools), Cedar Bluff (5 schools), Midtown (5 schools), Hardin Valley (4 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in Tennessee?
The top-ranked private schools in Tennessee include Memphis University School, Lipscomb Academy, and University School Of Nashville.
How many private schools are located in Tennessee?
There are 607 private schools are located in Tennessee.
How much do private schools cost in Tennessee?
The average private school tuition in Tennessee is $13,520 for elementary schools and $14,602 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Tennessee?
Approximately 20% of students in Tennessee private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Tennessee go to private school?
10% of all K-12 students in Tennessee attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Tennessee?
Which private schools in Tennessee are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Tennessee include: Crossroads Christian Academy vs. Lenoir City Christian Academy, Olivia's Montessori Preschool vs. Maria Montessori School, Greater Things Christian School vs. United Christian Academy
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