Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Orange County?

Elgin has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $9,100/year less, or $118,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Elgin is $9,100/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $118,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $11,200/year in Orange County.

How do Elgin and Orange County 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). Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Orange County

Elgin averages $9,100/year less for private school (78% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $118,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Elgin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elgin	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$20,800/yr	-$9,100
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$11,200/yr	-$3,800
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$34,800/yr	-$7,700
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$17,000/yr	-$7,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$20,800/yr	-$9,100
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$25,500/yr	-$11,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Orange County

$270,400

Choosing Elgin saves $118,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $236,600.

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

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Orange County breakdown →

Illinois private school costs California 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.