Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Portland?

Portland has lower average private school tuition at $18,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Portland is $200/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $10,400/year in Portland.

How do Chicago and Portland 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). Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Portland

Portland averages $200/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Portland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $10,200/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Portland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$18,200/yr	+$200
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$10,400/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$31,500/yr	+$500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$14,800/yr	+$200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$18,200/yr	+$200
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$22,500/yr	+$300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Portland

$236,600

Choosing Portland saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

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

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Portland breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Oregon private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.