Is private school cheaper in Baltimore or Elgin?

Elgin has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. That's $6,800/year less, or $88,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Elgin is $6,800/year less than Baltimore. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $88,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Baltimore, $7,400/year in Elgin.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Baltimore averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Elgin averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Baltimore vs Elgin

Elgin averages $6,800/year less for private school (58% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $88,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Elgin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Baltimore

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baltimore	Elgin	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$11,700/yr	+$6,800
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$7,400/yr	+$3,400
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$27,100/yr	+$6,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,200/yr	$9,900/yr	+$5,300
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$11,700/yr	+$6,800
High School (9-12)	$23,000/yr	$14,000/yr	+$9,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baltimore

$240,500

Elgin

$152,100

Choosing Elgin saves $88,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $176,800.

Sample Schools

Baltimore

Gilman School

Independent · K–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Roland Park Country School

Independent · K–12 · $36,800/yr

Calvert Hall College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

Loyola Blakefield

Catholic · 6–12 · $24,800/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 Baltimore breakdown → Full Elgin breakdown →

Maryland 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.