Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Tampa?

Tampa has lower average private school tuition at $12,500/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $5,900/year less, or $76,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tampa is $5,900/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $76,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $8,200/year in Tampa.

How do Chicago and Tampa 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). Tampa averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Tampa

Tampa averages $5,900/year less for private school (47% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $76,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Tampa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,500/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$12,500/yr	+$5,900
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$8,200/yr	+$2,000
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$23,500/yr	+$8,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$10,200/yr	+$4,800
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$12,500/yr	+$5,900
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$15,500/yr	+$7,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Tampa saves $76,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $153,400.

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

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Chicago → Miami vs Tampa → Tampa vs Orlando → Chicago vs Indianapolis →

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.