Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Joliet?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. That's $6,100/year less, or $79,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $6,100/year less than Burlington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $79,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $7,600/year in Joliet.

How do Burlington and Joliet private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Burlington averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Joliet averages $12,100/year ($250 below average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Joliet

Joliet averages $6,100/year less for private school (50% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $79,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Joliet	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$12,100/yr	+$6,100
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$7,600/yr	+$3,400
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$27,900/yr	+$11,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$10,300/yr	+$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$12,100/yr	+$6,100
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$14,500/yr	+$7,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Joliet

$157,300

Choosing Joliet saves $79,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $158,600.

Sample Schools

Burlington

Rice Memorial High School (Burlington VT)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Champlain Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Burlington breakdown → Full Joliet breakdown →

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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.