Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Dallas?

Dallas has lower average private school tuition at $17,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Dallas is $1,200/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $9,500/year in Dallas.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Chicago averages $18,400/year ($6,050 above average). Dallas averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Dallas

Dallas averages $1,200/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Dallas is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $17,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $9,500/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Dallas	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$17,200/yr	+$1,200
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$9,500/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$30,000/yr	+$2,000
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$14,000/yr	+$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$17,200/yr	+$1,200
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$21,000/yr	+$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Dallas

$223,600

Choosing Dallas saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

Sample Schools

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

Dallas

Greenhill School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

St. Mark's School of Texas

Independent · 1–12 · $38,200/yr

Hockaday School

Independent · PK–12 · $39,800/yr

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,800/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Dallas breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Dallas vs Austin → Dallas vs San Antonio → Fort Worth vs Dallas →

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.