Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Des Moines?

Des Moines has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $11,500/year less, or $149,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Des Moines is $11,500/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $149,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $4,800/year in Des Moines.

How do Chicago and Des Moines 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). Des Moines averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Des Moines

Des Moines averages $11,500/year less for private school (167% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $149,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Des Moines is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Des Moines

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Des Moines	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$6,900/yr	+$11,500
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$4,800/yr	+$5,400
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$14,400/yr	+$17,600
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$5,900/yr	+$9,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$6,900/yr	+$11,500
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$8,300/yr	+$14,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Des Moines

$89,700

Choosing Des Moines saves $149,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $299,000.

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

Des Moines

Dowling Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Des Moines Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Des Moines breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Iowa private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Chicago → Chicago vs Indianapolis → Chicago vs Columbus → Chicago vs Milwaukee →

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.