Private School Cost: Chicago vs Irvine
Chicago averages $2,000/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Chicago is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,400/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $10,200/year on the low end.
Chicago
IL
$18,400
avg tuition/year
Irvine
CA
$20,400
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Chicago | Irvine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $18,400/yr | $20,400/yr | -$2,000 |
| Religious Schools | $10,200/yr | $13,300/yr | -$3,100 |
| Independent/Prep | $32,000/yr | $39,700/yr | -$7,700 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $15,000/yr | $17,300/yr | -$2,300 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $18,400/yr | $20,400/yr | -$2,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $22,800/yr | $24,500/yr | -$1,700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Chicago
$239,200
Irvine
$265,200
Choosing Chicago saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.
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
Irvine
Sage Hill School
Independent · 9–12 · $45,200/yr
Woodbridge Village Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $16,800/yr
Our Lady Queen of Angels School
Catholic · K–8 · $10,400-$12,200/yr
Related Comparisons
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.