Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Los Angeles?

Elgin has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $15,100/year less, or $196,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Elgin is $15,100/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $196,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $13,500/year in Los Angeles.

How do Elgin and Los Angeles 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). Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Los Angeles

Elgin averages $15,100/year less for private school (129% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $196,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Elgin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elgin	Los Angeles	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$26,800/yr	-$15,100
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$13,500/yr	-$6,100
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$42,000/yr	-$14,900
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$22,000/yr	-$12,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$26,800/yr	-$15,100
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$32,000/yr	-$18,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Los Angeles

$348,400

Choosing Elgin saves $196,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $392,600.

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

Los Angeles

Harvard-Westlake School

Independent · 7–12 · $47,890/yr

Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences

Independent · K–12 · $44,370/yr

Marlborough School

Independent · 7–12 · $44,800/yr

St. Monica Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Los Angeles breakdown →

Illinois private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Diego → Los Angeles vs San Jose → Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.