Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Pasadena?

Pasadena has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Pasadena is $500/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $7,600/year in Pasadena.

How do Elgin and Pasadena 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). Pasadena averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Pasadena

Pasadena averages $500/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Pasadena is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Pasadena

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elgin	Pasadena	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$11,200/yr	+$500
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$7,600/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$23,700/yr	+$3,400
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$9,500/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$11,200/yr	+$500
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$13,400/yr	+$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Pasadena

$145,600

Choosing Pasadena saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

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

Pasadena

San Jacinto Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Blessed Sacrament School (Pasadena)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,400/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Pasadena breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Texas 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.