Private School Cost: Cincinnati vs Joliet
Cincinnati averages $300/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.
Bottom Line
Cincinnati is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.
Cincinnati
OH
$11,800
avg tuition/year
Joliet
IL
$12,100
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Cincinnati | Joliet | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $11,800/yr | $12,100/yr | -$300 |
| Religious Schools | $7,600/yr | $7,600/yr | Same |
| Independent/Prep | $22,000/yr | $27,900/yr | -$5,900 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $9,600/yr | $10,300/yr | -$700 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $11,800/yr | $12,100/yr | -$300 |
| High School (9-12) | $14,600/yr | $14,500/yr | +$100 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Cincinnati
$153,400
Joliet
$157,300
Choosing Cincinnati saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.
Sample Schools
Cincinnati
Cincinnati Country Day School
Independent · PK–12 · $24,400-$26,800/yr
Seven Hills School
Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr
Moeller High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr
Elder High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr
Joliet
Joliet Catholic Academy
Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr
Plainfield Academy
Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr
Related Comparisons
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.