Is private school cheaper in Carlsbad or Joliet?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $18,800/year in Carlsbad. That's $6,700/year less, or $87,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $6,700/year less than Carlsbad. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $87,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,200/year in Carlsbad, $7,600/year in Joliet.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Carlsbad averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Joliet averages $12,100/year ($250 below average).

Private School Cost: Carlsbad vs Joliet

Joliet averages $6,700/year less for private school (55% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $87,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $18,800/year in Carlsbad. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Carlsbad

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Carlsbad	Joliet	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$12,100/yr	+$6,700
Religious Schools	$12,200/yr	$7,600/yr	+$4,600
Independent/Prep	$36,600/yr	$27,900/yr	+$8,700
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$10,300/yr	+$5,700
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$12,100/yr	+$6,700
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$14,500/yr	+$8,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Carlsbad

$244,400

Joliet

$157,300

Choosing Joliet saves $87,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $174,200.

Sample Schools

Carlsbad

Army Navy Academy (Carlsbad)

Independent (Military) · 7–12 · $47,500-$52,000/yr

Pacific Ridge School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,200/yr

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Carlsbad breakdown → Full Joliet breakdown →

California 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.