Is private school cheaper in Charlotte or Chicago?

Charlotte has lower average private school tuition at $13,500/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $4,900/year less, or $63,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Charlotte over Chicago?

Average tuition in Charlotte is $4,900/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $63,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in Charlotte, $10,200/year in Chicago.

How do Charlotte and Chicago private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Charlotte averages $13,500/year ($1,150 above average). Chicago averages $18,400/year ($6,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Charlotte vs Chicago

Charlotte averages $4,900/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Charlotte is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,500/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $8,400/year on the low end.

Charlotte

$13,500

avg tuition/year

$1,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charlotte	Chicago	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,500/yr	$18,400/yr	-$4,900
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$10,200/yr	-$1,800
Independent/Prep	$25,000/yr	$32,000/yr	-$7,000
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$15,000/yr	-$4,000
Middle School (6-8)	$13,500/yr	$18,400/yr	-$4,900
High School (9-12)	$16,700/yr	$22,800/yr	-$6,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charlotte

$175,500

Chicago

$239,200

Choosing Charlotte saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

Sample Schools

Charlotte

Charlotte Latin School

Independent · K–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Providence Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

Myers Park Traditional School

Magnet (Free) · K–12

Charlotte Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Chicago

Latin School of Chicago

Independent · JK–12 · $38,040/yr

University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Independent · N–12 · $35,700-$38,200/yr

Francis W. Parker School

Independent · JK–12 · $36,800/yr

St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

Full Charlotte breakdown → Full Chicago breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Illinois private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.