Tennessee’s boarding schools cluster in Chattanooga, led by McCallie School (boys) and Baylor School (coed), with Webb School in Bell Buckle and St. Andrew’s-Sewanee rounding out the state. Boarding tuition runs $45,000–$58,000 per year in 2026 — roughly $15,000–$20,000 below comparable Northeastern schools.
Key facts about Tennessee boarding schools
- Boarding tuition runs $45,000–$58,000 per year — well below the $65,000–$85,000 Northeastern range.
- McCallie and Baylor, both in Chattanooga, are the state’s flagship boarding schools.
- McCallie (boys) and Girls Preparatory School (girls) operate as coordinate schools sharing some programs.
- Webb School in Bell Buckle, founded 1870, is one of the South’s oldest boarding schools.
- Nashville and Memphis are day school markets — boarding options are in Chattanooga and small towns.
Which are the top boarding schools in Tennessee?
| School | Town | Type | Boarding tuition | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCallie School | Chattanooga | Boys, 6–12 | ~$58,000 | ~60% |
| Baylor School | Chattanooga | Coed, 6–12 | ~$56,000 | ~60% |
| Girls Preparatory School | Chattanooga | Girls, 6–12 | ~$52,000 | ~65% |
| The Webb School | Bell Buckle | Coed, 6–12 | ~$50,000 | ~70% |
| St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School | Sewanee | Coed, 6–12 | ~$50,000 | ~75% |
| Columbia Academy | Columbia | Coed (limited boarding) | ~$45,000 | ~80% |
The Tennessee value case
McCallie and Baylor are the clearest illustration of a broader pattern: comparable facilities, class sizes, and college placement to Northeastern schools at $15,000–$20,000 less per year. Over four years that difference is $60,000–$80,000 — enough to change whether a family can pay without aid at all.
The trade-offs are real but specific: smaller endowments mean less financial aid available, admit rates near 60% mean a less nationally competitive peer pool, and the alumni networks are regional rather than national. For families paying full freight, the math often favors Tennessee; for families needing large aid packages, well-endowed Northeastern schools may cost less net. Run both scenarios using how financial aid works and how much boarding school costs.
The Chattanooga cluster
Three of Tennessee’s boarding schools sit in Chattanooga: McCallie for boys, Girls Preparatory School for girls, and Baylor coeducational. McCallie and GPS operate as coordinate schools, sharing some academic and social programming while maintaining separate campuses — a structure that offers single-sex classrooms with coed social life.
See the broader single-sex picture in all-boys and all-girls boarding schools, and compare regional pricing in Virginia. All states are indexed in best boarding schools by state.
Tennessee boarding school FAQ
What is the best boarding school in Tennessee?
McCallie School and Baylor School, both in Chattanooga, are Tennessee's leading boarding schools. McCallie is all-boys and Baylor is coeducational; both charge $50,000–$58,000 for boarding and post college matriculation records comparable to more expensive Northeastern schools.
How much do Tennessee boarding schools cost?
Tennessee boarding schools charge $45,000–$58,000 per year for boarding in 2025–26 — roughly $15,000–$20,000 below comparable New England schools. The lower cost reflects regional cost of living rather than reduced programming or facilities.
Why are Tennessee boarding schools cheaper?
Tennessee boarding schools cost less because of regional economics: lower faculty salaries, land, and construction costs than the Northeast, plus smaller endowments that keep tuition closer to actual operating cost. Facilities and class sizes at McCallie and Baylor are comparable to schools charging $70,000.
Are there boarding schools in Nashville or Memphis?
Very few. Tennessee's boarding schools cluster in Chattanooga (McCallie, Baylor, Girls Preparatory School) and small towns like Bell Buckle (Webb School) and Sewanee (St. Andrew's-Sewanee). Nashville and Memphis are predominantly day school markets.
Sources
- McCallie School and Baylor School: published tuition and admission data.
- TABS: Tennessee member listings.
- Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS): regional accreditation and directory.