Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Omaha?

Omaha has lower average private school tuition at $7,300/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $11,100/year less, or $144,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Omaha is $11,100/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $144,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $5,100/year in Omaha.

How do Chicago and Omaha 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). Omaha averages $7,300/year ($5,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Omaha

Omaha averages $11,100/year less for private school (152% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $144,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Omaha is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,300/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $5,100/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Omaha

$7,300

avg tuition/year

$5,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Omaha	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$7,300/yr	+$11,100
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$5,100/yr	+$5,100
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$15,900/yr	+$16,100
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$6,200/yr	+$8,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$7,300/yr	+$11,100
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$8,800/yr	+$14,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Omaha

$94,900

Choosing Omaha saves $144,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $288,600.

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

Omaha

Creighton Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Westside Community Schools (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,800/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Omaha 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.