Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Naperville?

Naperville has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. That's $4,400/year less, or $57,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Naperville is $4,400/year less than Burlington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $57,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $8,700/year in Naperville.

How do Burlington and Naperville 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). Naperville averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Naperville

Naperville averages $4,400/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $57,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Naperville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Naperville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$13,800/yr	+$4,400
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$8,700/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$31,900/yr	+$7,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$11,700/yr	+$3,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$13,800/yr	+$4,400
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$16,600/yr	+$5,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Naperville

$179,400

Choosing Naperville saves $57,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $114,400.

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

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Full Burlington breakdown → Full Naperville breakdown →

Vermont 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.