Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Tulsa?

Tulsa has lower average private school tuition at $7,000/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tulsa is $4,700/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $5,100/year in Tulsa.

How do Elgin and Tulsa 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). Tulsa averages $7,000/year ($5,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Tulsa

Tulsa averages $4,700/year less for private school (67% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Tulsa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,000/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $5,100/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Tulsa

$7,000

avg tuition/year

$5,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elgin	Tulsa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$7,000/yr	+$4,700
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$5,100/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$14,500/yr	+$12,600
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$6,000/yr	+$3,900
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$7,000/yr	+$4,700
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$8,400/yr	+$5,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Tulsa

$91,000

Choosing Tulsa saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

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

Tulsa

Holland Hall (Tulsa)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Bishop Kelley High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Tulsa breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Oklahoma 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.