Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Springfield?

Chicago has lower average private school tuition at $18,400/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $4,100/year less, or $53,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Chicago is $4,100/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $53,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $12,200/year in Springfield.

How do Chicago and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Springfield

Chicago averages $4,100/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $53,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Chicago is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,400/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $10,200/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$22,500/yr	-$4,100
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$12,200/yr	-$2,000
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$45,800/yr	-$13,800
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$19,100/yr	-$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$22,500/yr	-$4,100
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$27,000/yr	-$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Springfield

$292,500

Choosing Chicago saves $53,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $106,600.

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

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Massachusetts 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.