Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Riverside?

Elgin has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $3,200/year less, or $41,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Elgin is $3,200/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $41,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Elgin and Riverside 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). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Riverside

Elgin averages $3,200/year less for private school (27% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $41,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Elgin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elgin	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$14,900/yr	-$3,200
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$9,700/yr	-$2,300
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$29,000/yr	-$1,900
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$12,700/yr	-$2,800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$14,900/yr	-$3,200
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$17,900/yr	-$3,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Elgin saves $41,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $83,200.

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

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Riverside 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.