Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Lincoln?

Lincoln has lower average private school tuition at $7,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $11,200/year less, or $145,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lincoln is $11,200/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $145,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $5,000/year in Lincoln.

How do Chicago and Lincoln 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). Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Lincoln

Lincoln averages $11,200/year less for private school (156% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $145,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Lincoln	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$7,200/yr	+$11,200
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$5,000/yr	+$5,200
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$15,600/yr	+$16,400
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$6,100/yr	+$8,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$7,200/yr	+$11,200
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$8,600/yr	+$14,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Lincoln

$93,600

Choosing Lincoln saves $145,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $291,200.

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

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Lincoln breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Nebraska 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.