Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Miami Gardens?

Miami Gardens has lower average private school tuition at $9,900/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Miami Gardens is $1,800/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $6,800/year in Miami Gardens.

How do Elgin and Miami Gardens 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). Miami Gardens averages $9,900/year ($2,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Miami Gardens

Miami Gardens averages $1,800/year less for private school (18% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Miami Gardens is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,900/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Miami Gardens

$9,900

avg tuition/year

$2,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elgin	Miami Gardens	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$9,900/yr	+$1,800
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$6,800/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$20,400/yr	+$6,700
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$8,400/yr	+$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$9,900/yr	+$1,800
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$11,900/yr	+$2,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Miami Gardens

$128,700

Choosing Miami Gardens saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

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

Miami Gardens

North Miami Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Monica School (Miami Gardens)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Miami Gardens breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Florida 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.