Is private school cheaper in Buffalo or Joliet?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. That's $6,400/year less, or $83,200 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Joliet over Buffalo?

Average tuition in Joliet is $6,400/year less than Buffalo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $83,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,600/year in Buffalo, $7,600/year in Joliet.

How do Buffalo and Joliet 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). Joliet averages $12,100/year ($250 below average).

Private School Cost: Buffalo vs Joliet

Joliet averages $6,400/year less for private school (53% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $83,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $18,500/year in Buffalo. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Buffalo

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

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

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Buffalo

$240,500

Joliet

$157,300

Choosing Joliet saves $83,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $166,400.

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

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Buffalo breakdown → Full Joliet 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.