Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Richmond?

Richmond has lower average private school tuition at $14,500/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $3,900/year less, or $50,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Richmond is $3,900/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $50,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Chicago and Richmond 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). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Richmond

Richmond averages $3,900/year less for private school (27% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $50,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Richmond is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,500/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $9,200/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$14,500/yr	+$3,900
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$9,200/yr	+$1,000
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$27,000/yr	+$5,000
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$11,800/yr	+$3,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$14,500/yr	+$3,900
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$18,000/yr	+$4,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Richmond saves $50,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $101,400.

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

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Virginia 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.