Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Olathe?

Olathe has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Olathe is $3,500/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $5,800/year in Olathe.

How do Elgin and Olathe 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). Olathe averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Olathe

Olathe averages $3,500/year less for private school (43% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Olathe is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $5,800/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Olathe

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elgin	Olathe	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,500
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$5,800/yr	+$1,600
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$17,000/yr	+$10,100
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,900
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,500
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$9,800/yr	+$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Olathe

$106,600

Choosing Olathe saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

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

Olathe

Olathe Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

St. Paul's Episcopal Day School (Olathe)

Episcopal · K–8 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Olathe breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Kansas 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.