Is private school cheaper in Austin or Elgin?

Elgin has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. That's $3,800/year less, or $49,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Elgin is $3,800/year less than Austin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $49,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $7,400/year in Elgin.

How do Austin and Elgin private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Austin averages $15,500/year ($3,150 above average). Elgin averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs Elgin

Elgin averages $3,800/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $49,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Elgin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Elgin	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$11,700/yr	+$3,800
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$7,400/yr	+$2,000
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$27,100/yr	+$1,100
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$9,900/yr	+$2,900
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$11,700/yr	+$3,800
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$14,000/yr	+$5,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Elgin

$152,100

Choosing Elgin saves $49,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $98,800.

Sample Schools

Austin

St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Austin)

Independent · PK–12 · $32,800-$35,400/yr

Austin Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Michael's Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Hyde Park Baptist School

Christian · PK–12 · $13,400-$15,200/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 Austin breakdown → Full Elgin breakdown →

Texas private school costs Illinois private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Austin vs San Antonio → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.