For the 2026 school year, there are 609 private schools serving 113,626 students in Tennessee (there are 1,924 public schools, serving 1,010,361 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 $13,458 for elementary schools and $14,511 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Tennessee include Lipscomb Academy, University School Of Nashville, and St. Mary's Episcopal School.
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
609 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
113,626 Students
5,699,317 Students
% Average Students of Color
20%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
11,117 Teachers
507,826 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)
1233
Average ACT score
26
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$13,384
$14,878
Average Summer Program Cost
$394
$1,138
Average % on Financial Aid
25%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$6,697
$7,124
Average Acceptance Rate
83%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$55.95 million
$61.71 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
0.65
# American Indian Students
308 Students
29,886 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
2,797 Students
265,088 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
4,327 Students
507,413 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
9%
# Black Students
7,099 Students
416,690 Students
% Black Students
6%
7%
# White Students
68,802 Students
2,932,713 Students
% White Students
61%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
87 Students
20,067 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
28,581 Students
1,471,571 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 Lipscomb Academy, University School Of Nashville, and St. Mary's Episcopal School.
How many private schools are located in Tennessee?
There are 609 private schools are located in Tennessee.
How much do private schools cost in Tennessee?
The average private school tuition in Tennessee is $13,458 for elementary schools and $14,511 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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