Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Port St. Lucie?

Port St. Lucie has lower average private school tuition at $9,600/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $2,100/year less, or $27,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Port St. Lucie over Elgin?

Average tuition in Port St. Lucie is $2,100/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $27,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $6,600/year in Port St. Lucie.

How do Elgin and Port St. Lucie 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). Port St. Lucie averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Port St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie averages $2,100/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $27,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Port St. Lucie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Port St. Lucie

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elgin	Port St. Lucie	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$9,600/yr	+$2,100
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$6,600/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$19,800/yr	+$7,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$8,200/yr	+$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$9,600/yr	+$2,100
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$11,500/yr	+$2,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Port St. Lucie

$124,800

Choosing Port St. Lucie saves $27,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $54,600.

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

Port St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

Saint Bernadette School (PSL)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,600-$9,400/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Port St. Lucie 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.