Private School Cost: Chicago vs Denver
Denver averages $2,000/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Denver is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,400/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.
Chicago
IL
$18,400
avg tuition/year
Denver
CO
$16,400
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Chicago | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $18,400/yr | $16,400/yr | +$2,000 |
| Religious Schools | $10,200/yr | $9,800/yr | +$400 |
| Independent/Prep | $32,000/yr | $28,500/yr | +$3,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $15,000/yr | $13,500/yr | +$1,500 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $18,400/yr | $16,400/yr | +$2,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $22,800/yr | $20,200/yr | +$2,600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Chicago
$239,200
Denver
$213,200
Choosing Denver saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.
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
Denver
Kent Denver School
Independent · 6–12 · $35,200-$37,800/yr
Colorado Academy
Independent · PK–12 · $33,800-$36,400/yr
Regis Jesuit High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr
Mullen High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr
Related Comparisons
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.