Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Providence?

Elgin has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $10,300/year less, or $133,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Elgin is $10,300/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $133,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $12,400/year in Providence.

How do Elgin and Providence 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). Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Providence

Elgin averages $10,300/year less for private school (88% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $133,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Elgin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elgin	Providence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$22,000/yr	-$10,300
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$12,400/yr	-$5,000
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$36,000/yr	-$8,900
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$18,000/yr	-$8,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$22,000/yr	-$10,300
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$27,500/yr	-$13,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Providence

$286,000

Choosing Elgin saves $133,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $267,800.

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

Providence

Moses Brown School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Providence breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Rhode Island 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.