Is private school cheaper in Baltimore or Naperville?

Naperville has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Naperville is $4,700/year less than Baltimore. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Baltimore, $8,700/year in Naperville.

How do Baltimore and Naperville 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). Naperville averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Baltimore vs Naperville

Naperville averages $4,700/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Naperville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Baltimore

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baltimore	Naperville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$13,800/yr	+$4,700
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$8,700/yr	+$2,100
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$31,900/yr	+$2,100
Elementary (K-5)	$15,200/yr	$11,700/yr	+$3,500
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$13,800/yr	+$4,700
High School (9-12)	$23,000/yr	$16,600/yr	+$6,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baltimore

$240,500

Naperville

$179,400

Choosing Naperville saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

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

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Full Baltimore breakdown → Full Naperville 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.