Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $7,200/year less, or $93,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Milwaukee is $7,200/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $93,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $7,400/year in Milwaukee.

How do Chicago and Milwaukee 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). Milwaukee averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Milwaukee

Milwaukee averages $7,200/year less for private school (64% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $93,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Milwaukee is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Milwaukee

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Milwaukee	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$11,200/yr	+$7,200
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$7,400/yr	+$2,800
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$21,000/yr	+$11,000
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$9,200/yr	+$5,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$11,200/yr	+$7,200
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$13,800/yr	+$9,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Milwaukee

$145,600

Choosing Milwaukee saves $93,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $187,200.

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

Milwaukee

University School of Milwaukee

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Milwaukee University School

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Marquette University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Milwaukee breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Wisconsin private school costs

Related Comparisons

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.