Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Thornton?

Elgin has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. That's $1,400/year less, or $18,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Elgin is $1,400/year less than Thornton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $18,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Elgin and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Thornton

Elgin averages $1,400/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $18,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Elgin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elgin	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$13,100/yr	-$1,400
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$8,500/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$25,700/yr	+$1,400
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$11,100/yr	-$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$13,100/yr	-$1,400
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$15,700/yr	-$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Elgin saves $18,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $36,400.

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

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Colorado 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.