Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Chicago?

Anchorage has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $6,500/year less, or $84,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Anchorage is $6,500/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $84,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $10,200/year in Chicago.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Anchorage averages $11,900/year ($450 below average). Chicago averages $18,400/year ($6,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Chicago

Anchorage averages $6,500/year less for private school (55% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $84,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Anchorage is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $7,900/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Chicago	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$18,400/yr	-$6,500
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$10,200/yr	-$2,300
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$32,000/yr	-$10,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$15,000/yr	-$4,900
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$18,400/yr	-$6,500
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$22,800/yr	-$8,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Chicago

$239,200

Choosing Anchorage saves $84,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $169,000.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/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 Anchorage breakdown → Full Chicago breakdown →

Alaska private school costs Illinois private school costs

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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.