Is private school cheaper in Amarillo or Joliet?

Amarillo has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $2,000/year less, or $26,000 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Amarillo over Joliet?

Average tuition in Amarillo is $2,000/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $26,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Amarillo, $7,600/year in Joliet.

How do Amarillo and Joliet private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Amarillo averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average). Joliet averages $12,100/year ($250 below average).

Private School Cost: Amarillo vs Joliet

Amarillo averages $2,000/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Amarillo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Amarillo

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Amarillo	Joliet	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$12,100/yr	-$2,000
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$7,600/yr	-$700
Independent/Prep	$21,300/yr	$27,900/yr	-$6,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$10,300/yr	-$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$12,100/yr	-$2,000
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$14,500/yr	-$2,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Amarillo

$131,300

Joliet

$157,300

Choosing Amarillo saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.

Sample Schools

Amarillo

Amarillo Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $9,400-$11,200/yr

St. Mary's Academy (Amarillo)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Amarillo breakdown → Full Joliet breakdown →

Texas 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.