Is private school cheaper in Dallas or Joliet?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. That's $5,100/year less, or $66,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $5,100/year less than Dallas. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $66,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,500/year in Dallas, $7,600/year in Joliet.

How do Dallas and Joliet private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dallas averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average). Joliet averages $12,100/year ($250 below average).

Private School Cost: Dallas vs Joliet

Joliet averages $5,100/year less for private school (42% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $66,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $17,200/year in Dallas. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Dallas

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dallas	Joliet	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$17,200/yr	$12,100/yr	+$5,100
Religious Schools	$9,500/yr	$7,600/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$30,000/yr	$27,900/yr	+$2,100
Elementary (K-5)	$14,000/yr	$10,300/yr	+$3,700
Middle School (6-8)	$17,200/yr	$12,100/yr	+$5,100
High School (9-12)	$21,000/yr	$14,500/yr	+$6,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dallas

$223,600

Joliet

$157,300

Choosing Joliet saves $66,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $132,600.

Sample Schools

Dallas

Greenhill School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

St. Mark's School of Texas

Independent · 1–12 · $38,200/yr

Hockaday School

Independent · PK–12 · $39,800/yr

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,800/yr

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Dallas breakdown → Full Joliet breakdown →

Texas private school costs Illinois private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Dallas → Dallas vs Austin → Dallas vs San Antonio → Fort Worth vs Dallas →

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.