Is private school cheaper in Buffalo or Elgin?

Elgin has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. 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 Buffalo?

Average tuition in Elgin is $6,800/year less than Buffalo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $88,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,600/year in Buffalo, $7,400/year in Elgin.

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

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

Private School Cost: Buffalo 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 Buffalo. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Buffalo

$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	Buffalo	Elgin	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$11,700/yr	+$6,800
Religious Schools	$10,600/yr	$7,400/yr	+$3,200
Independent/Prep	$39,400/yr	$27,100/yr	+$12,300
Elementary (K-5)	$15,700/yr	$9,900/yr	+$5,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$11,700/yr	+$6,800
High School (9-12)	$22,200/yr	$14,000/yr	+$8,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Buffalo

$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

Buffalo

Canisius High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Buffalo Seminary

Independent · 7–12 · $22,400/yr

Nardin Academy

Catholic · PK–12 · $16,800/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 Buffalo breakdown → Full Elgin breakdown →

New York 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.