Is private school cheaper in Albuquerque or Chicago?

Albuquerque has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $8,200/year less, or $106,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Albuquerque over Chicago?

Average tuition in Albuquerque is $8,200/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $106,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Albuquerque, $10,200/year in Chicago.

How do Albuquerque and Chicago private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albuquerque averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average). Chicago averages $18,400/year ($6,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Albuquerque vs Chicago

Albuquerque averages $8,200/year less for private school (80% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $106,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Albuquerque is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Albuquerque

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albuquerque	Chicago	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$18,400/yr	-$8,200
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$10,200/yr	-$3,200
Independent/Prep	$19,000/yr	$32,000/yr	-$13,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$15,000/yr	-$6,600
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$18,400/yr	-$8,200
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$22,800/yr	-$10,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albuquerque

$132,600

Chicago

$239,200

Choosing Albuquerque saves $106,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $213,200.

Sample Schools

Albuquerque

Albuquerque Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr

Sandia Preparatory School

Independent · 6–12 · $18,400/yr

St. Pius X High School (Albuquerque)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Bosque School

Independent · 6–12 · $19,800-$21,400/yr

Chicago

Latin School of Chicago

Independent · JK–12 · $38,040/yr

University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Independent · N–12 · $35,700-$38,200/yr

Francis W. Parker School

Independent · JK–12 · $36,800/yr

St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

Full Albuquerque breakdown → Full Chicago breakdown →

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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.