Is private school cheaper in Cary or Elgin?

Cary has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cary over Elgin?

Average tuition in Cary is $200/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $7,400/year in Elgin.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cary averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Elgin averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Elgin

Cary averages $200/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Cary is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Elgin	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$11,700/yr	-$200
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$7,400/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$27,100/yr	-$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$9,900/yr	-$100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$11,700/yr	-$200
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$14,000/yr	-$200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Elgin

$152,100

Choosing Cary saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/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 Cary breakdown → Full Elgin breakdown →

North Carolina 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.