Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or Elgin?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cleveland over Elgin?

Average tuition in Cleveland is $500/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $7,400/year in Elgin.

How do Cleveland and Elgin private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). Elgin averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs Elgin

Cleveland averages $500/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	Elgin	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$11,700/yr	-$500
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$7,400/yr	Same
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$27,100/yr	-$6,100
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$9,900/yr	-$700
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$11,700/yr	-$500
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$14,000/yr	-$200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

Elgin

$152,100

Choosing Cleveland saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

Sample Schools

Cleveland

University School (Cleveland)

Independent · JK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Laurel School (Cleveland)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Edward High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Elgin

Timothy Christian Schools (Elgin)

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$13,800/yr

St. Edward Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Cleveland breakdown → Full Elgin breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Illinois private school costs

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.