Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Peoria?

Peoria has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $2,000/year less, or $26,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Peoria is $2,000/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $26,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $7,300/year in Peoria.

How do Elgin and Peoria 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). Peoria averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Peoria

Peoria averages $2,000/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Peoria is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $7,300/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Peoria

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elgin	Peoria	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$9,700/yr	+$2,000
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$7,300/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$18,500/yr	+$8,600
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$8,200/yr	+$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$9,700/yr	+$2,000
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$11,600/yr	+$2,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Peoria

$126,100

Choosing Peoria saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.

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

Peoria

Sandra Day O'Connor Prep (Peoria)

Independent · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Deer Valley Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Peoria breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Arizona 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.