Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Hartford?

Chicago has lower average private school tuition at $18,400/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $9,600/year less, or $124,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Chicago is $9,600/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $124,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $15,800/year in Hartford.

How do Chicago and Hartford 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). Hartford averages $28,000/year ($15,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Hartford

Chicago averages $9,600/year less for private school (52% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $124,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Chicago is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,400/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $10,200/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Hartford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$28,000/yr	-$9,600
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$15,800/yr	-$5,600
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$44,500/yr	-$12,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$22,800/yr	-$7,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$28,000/yr	-$9,600
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$35,000/yr	-$12,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Hartford

$364,000

Choosing Chicago saves $124,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $249,600.

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

Hartford

Kingswood Oxford School

Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr

Loomis Chaffee School

Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr

Watkinson School

Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr

Northwest Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Hartford breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Connecticut 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.