Is private school cheaper in Albany or Naperville?

Naperville has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $5,900/year less, or $76,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Naperville over Albany?

Average tuition in Naperville is $5,900/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $76,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $8,700/year in Naperville.

How do Albany and Naperville private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albany averages $19,700/year ($7,350 above average). Naperville averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Naperville

Naperville averages $5,900/year less for private school (43% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $76,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Naperville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Naperville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$13,800/yr	+$5,900
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$8,700/yr	+$2,600
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$31,900/yr	+$10,000
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$11,700/yr	+$5,000
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$13,800/yr	+$5,900
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$16,600/yr	+$7,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Naperville

$179,400

Choosing Naperville saves $76,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $153,400.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Naperville breakdown →

New York private school costs Illinois private school costs

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.