Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Salt Lake City over Elgin?

Average tuition in Salt Lake City is $2,300/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $6,500/year in Salt Lake City.

How do Elgin and Salt Lake City 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). Salt Lake City averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City averages $2,300/year less for private school (24% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Salt Lake City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $6,500/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Salt Lake City

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

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

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Salt Lake City

$122,200

Choosing Salt Lake City saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

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

Salt Lake City

Judge Memorial Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Utah Private Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Salt Lake City breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Utah 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.