PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Allen vs Chicago

Allen averages $5,800/year less for private school (46% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $75,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Allen is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,600/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Allen

TX

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg
Lower cost

Chicago

IL

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Allen Chicago Difference
All Schools (Average) $12,600/yr $18,400/yr -$5,800
Religious Schools $8,600/yr $10,200/yr -$1,600
Independent/Prep $26,600/yr $32,000/yr -$5,400
Elementary (K-5) $10,700/yr $15,000/yr -$4,300
Middle School (6-8) $12,600/yr $18,400/yr -$5,800
High School (9-12) $15,100/yr $22,800/yr -$7,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Allen

$163,800

Chicago

$239,200

Choosing Allen saves $75,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $150,800.

Sample Schools

Allen

Allen Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,800/yr

Our Lady of Angels School (Allen)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,800-$10,600/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

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.