Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Port St. Lucie?

Port St. Lucie has lower average private school tuition at $9,600/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $8,800/year less, or $114,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Port St. Lucie over Chicago?

Average tuition in Port St. Lucie is $8,800/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $114,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $6,600/year in Port St. Lucie.

How do Chicago and Port St. Lucie 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). Port St. Lucie averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Port St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie averages $8,800/year less for private school (92% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $114,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Port St. Lucie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Port St. Lucie

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Port St. Lucie	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$9,600/yr	+$8,800
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$6,600/yr	+$3,600
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$19,800/yr	+$12,200
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$8,200/yr	+$6,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$9,600/yr	+$8,800
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$11,500/yr	+$11,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Port St. Lucie

$124,800

Choosing Port St. Lucie saves $114,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $228,800.

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

Port St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

Saint Bernadette School (PSL)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,600-$9,400/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Port St. Lucie breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Florida 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.