PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Elk Grove

Elk Grove averages $1,900/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $24,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Elk Grove is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,500/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $10,200/year on the low end.

Chicago

IL

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Elk Grove

CA

$16,500

avg tuition/year

$4,150 above national avg
Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Chicago Elk Grove Difference
All Schools (Average) $18,400/yr $16,500/yr +$1,900
Religious Schools $10,200/yr $10,700/yr -$500
Independent/Prep $32,000/yr $32,000/yr Same
Elementary (K-5) $15,000/yr $14,000/yr +$1,000
Middle School (6-8) $18,400/yr $16,500/yr +$1,900
High School (9-12) $22,800/yr $19,800/yr +$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Elk Grove

$214,500

Choosing Elk Grove saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.

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

Elk Grove

Laguna Creek Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Father Keith B. Kenny School

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

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.