Is private school cheaper in Dayton or Elgin?

Dayton has lower average private school tuition at $8,100/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Dayton is $3,600/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Dayton, $7,400/year in Elgin.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dayton averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average). Elgin averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Dayton vs Elgin

Dayton averages $3,600/year less for private school (44% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Dayton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,100/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Dayton

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dayton	Elgin	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,100/yr	$11,700/yr	-$3,600
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$7,400/yr	-$1,700
Independent/Prep	$18,700/yr	$27,100/yr	-$8,400
Elementary (K-5)	$6,900/yr	$9,900/yr	-$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$8,100/yr	$11,700/yr	-$3,600
High School (9-12)	$9,700/yr	$14,000/yr	-$4,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dayton

$105,300

Elgin

$152,100

Choosing Dayton saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

Sample Schools

Dayton

Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,400/yr

Dayton Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$12,000/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 Dayton 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.