Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Elgin?

Elgin has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Elgin is $200/year less than Anchorage. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $7,400/year in Elgin.

How do Anchorage and Elgin 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). Elgin averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Elgin

Elgin averages $200/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Elgin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Elgin	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$11,700/yr	+$200
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$7,400/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$27,100/yr	-$5,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$9,900/yr	+$200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$11,700/yr	+$200
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$14,000/yr	+$300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Elgin

$152,100

Choosing Elgin saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Elgin

Timothy Christian Schools (Elgin)

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$13,800/yr

St. Edward Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full Elgin breakdown →

Alaska 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.