Is private school cheaper in Chicago or Toledo?

Toledo has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. That's $10,200/year less, or $132,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Toledo is $10,200/year less than Chicago. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $132,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,200/year in Chicago, $5,900/year in Toledo.

How do Chicago and Toledo 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). Toledo averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Chicago vs Toledo

Toledo averages $10,200/year less for private school (124% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $132,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Toledo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $5,900/year on the low end.

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Toledo

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chicago	Toledo	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,400/yr	$8,200/yr	+$10,200
Religious Schools	$10,200/yr	$5,900/yr	+$4,300
Independent/Prep	$32,000/yr	$19,100/yr	+$12,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,000/yr	$7,000/yr	+$8,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,400/yr	$8,200/yr	+$10,200
High School (9-12)	$22,800/yr	$9,800/yr	+$13,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chicago

$239,200

Toledo

$106,600

Choosing Toledo saves $132,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $265,200.

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

Toledo

St. Francis de Sales High School (Toledo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Toledo Christian Schools

Christian · PK–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Chicago breakdown → Full Toledo breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Ohio 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.