Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Knoxville?

Knoxville has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Knoxville is $1,600/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $7,100/year in Knoxville.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Elgin averages $11,700/year ($650 below average). Knoxville averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Knoxville

Knoxville averages $1,600/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Knoxville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Knoxville

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

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

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Knoxville

$131,300

Choosing Knoxville saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

Sample Schools

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

Knoxville

Webb School of Knoxville

Independent · PK–12 · $19,400/yr

Knoxville Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Knoxville breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Tennessee 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.