Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Fort Worth?

Fort Worth has lower average private school tuition at $13,500/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $4,900/year less, or $63,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Worth is $4,900/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $63,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $8,800/year in Fort Worth.

How do Chicago and Fort Worth 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 Worth averages $13,500/year ($1,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Fort Worth

Fort Worth averages $4,900/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Worth is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,500/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $8,800/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Fort Worth

$13,500

avg tuition/year

$1,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Fort Worth	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$13,500/yr	+$4,900
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$8,800/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$25,000/yr	+$7,000
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$11,000/yr	+$4,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$13,500/yr	+$4,900
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$16,600/yr	+$6,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Fort Worth

$175,500

Choosing Fort Worth saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

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

Fort Worth

Fort Worth Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,800-$30,200/yr

All Saints' Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Nolan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Southwest Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $11,400-$13,200/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Fort Worth breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Texas private school costs

Related Comparisons

Fort Worth vs Dallas → New York vs Chicago → Chicago vs Indianapolis → Chicago vs Columbus →

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.