Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or Joliet?

Cleveland has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $900/year less, or $11,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cleveland is $900/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $11,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $7,600/year in Joliet.

How do Cleveland and Joliet 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). Joliet averages $12,100/year ($250 below average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs Joliet

Cleveland averages $900/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Cleveland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	Joliet	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$12,100/yr	-$900
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$7,600/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$27,900/yr	-$6,900
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$10,300/yr	-$1,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$12,100/yr	-$900
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$14,500/yr	-$700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

Joliet

$157,300

Choosing Cleveland saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.

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

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Cleveland breakdown → Full Joliet 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.