Is private school cheaper in Boston or Elgin?

Elgin has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $25,100/year less, or $326,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Elgin is $25,100/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $326,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $7,400/year in Elgin.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boston averages $36,800/year ($24,450 above average). Elgin averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Elgin

Elgin averages $25,100/year less for private school (215% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $326,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Elgin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Elgin	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$11,700/yr	+$25,100
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$7,400/yr	+$11,100
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$27,100/yr	+$28,900
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$9,900/yr	+$20,100
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$11,700/yr	+$25,100
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$14,000/yr	+$32,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Elgin

$152,100

Choosing Elgin saves $326,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $652,600.

Sample Schools

Boston

Boston Latin School (Exam)

Exam School (Public) · 7–12

Roxbury Latin School

Independent (need-based) · 7–12

Belmont Hill School

Independent · 7–12 · $59,800/yr

Boston College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $23,100/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 Boston breakdown → Full Elgin breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Illinois private school costs

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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.