Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Phoenix?

Phoenix has lower average private school tuition at $13,400/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $5,000/year less, or $65,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Phoenix is $5,000/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $65,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do Chicago and Phoenix 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). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Phoenix

Phoenix averages $5,000/year less for private school (37% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $65,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Phoenix is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,400/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $8,600/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$13,400/yr	+$5,000
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$8,600/yr	+$1,600
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$24,500/yr	+$7,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$11,000/yr	+$4,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$13,400/yr	+$5,000
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$16,500/yr	+$6,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Phoenix saves $65,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $130,000.

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

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Arizona 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.