Private School Cost: Boise vs Chicago
Boise averages $10,400/year less for private school (130% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $135,200 per child.
Bottom Line
Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.
Boise
ID
$8,000
avg tuition/year
Chicago
IL
$18,400
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Boise | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,000/yr | $18,400/yr | -$10,400 |
| Religious Schools | $5,500/yr | $10,200/yr | -$4,700 |
| Independent/Prep | $15,500/yr | $32,000/yr | -$16,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $6,800/yr | $15,000/yr | -$8,200 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,000/yr | $18,400/yr | -$10,400 |
| High School (9-12) | $9,600/yr | $22,800/yr | -$13,200 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Boise
$104,000
Chicago
$239,200
Choosing Boise saves $135,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $270,400.
Sample Schools
Boise
The Ambrose School (Boise)
Christian Classical · PK–12 · $12,200-$14,800/yr
Boise Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr
Chicago
Latin School of Chicago
Independent · JK–12 · $38,040/yr
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Independent · N–12 · $35,700-$38,200/yr
Francis W. Parker School
Independent · JK–12 · $36,800/yr
St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)
Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr
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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.