Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Waterbury?

Elgin has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $8,800/year less, or $114,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Elgin is $8,800/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $114,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Elgin and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Waterbury

Elgin averages $8,800/year less for private school (75% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $114,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Elgin is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elgin	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$20,500/yr	-$8,800
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$11,300/yr	-$3,900
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$40,800/yr	-$13,700
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$17,400/yr	-$7,500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$20,500/yr	-$8,800
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$24,600/yr	-$10,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Elgin saves $114,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $228,800.

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Connecticut 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.