Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Sacramento?

Sacramento has lower average private school tuition at $16,000/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $2,400/year less, or $31,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sacramento is $2,400/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $31,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

How do Chicago and Sacramento 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). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Sacramento

Sacramento averages $2,400/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $31,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Sacramento is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $16,000/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $9,800/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$16,000/yr	+$2,400
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$9,800/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$28,500/yr	+$3,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$13,000/yr	+$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$16,000/yr	+$2,400
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$19,800/yr	+$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Sacramento saves $31,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $62,400.

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

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Sacramento breakdown →

Illinois private school costs California 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.