Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $6,700/year less, or $87,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Lauderdale is $6,700/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $87,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale.

How do Chicago and Fort Lauderdale 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). Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale averages $6,700/year less for private school (57% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $87,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Fort Lauderdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$11,700/yr	+$6,700
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$8,100/yr	+$2,100
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$24,100/yr	+$7,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$9,900/yr	+$5,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$11,700/yr	+$6,700
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$14,000/yr	+$8,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Choosing Fort Lauderdale saves $87,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $174,200.

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

Fort Lauderdale

Pine Crest School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School (Ft. Laud.)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Westminster Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Fort Lauderdale breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Florida 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.