Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Naperville?

Naperville has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $4,800/year less, or $62,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Naperville is $4,800/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $62,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $8,700/year in Naperville.

How do Bellevue and Naperville private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Naperville averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Naperville

Naperville averages $4,800/year less for private school (35% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Naperville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Naperville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$13,800/yr	+$4,800
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$8,700/yr	+$4,000
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$31,900/yr	+$7,800
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$11,700/yr	+$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$13,800/yr	+$4,800
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$16,600/yr	+$5,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Naperville

$179,400

Choosing Naperville saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full Naperville breakdown →

Washington 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.