Is private school cheaper in Erie or Joliet?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Erie over Joliet?

Average tuition in Erie is $200/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $7,600/year in Joliet.

How do Erie and Joliet private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Erie averages $11,900/year ($450 below average). Joliet averages $12,100/year ($250 below average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Joliet

Erie averages $200/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Joliet	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$12,100/yr	-$200
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$7,600/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$27,900/yr	-$200
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$10,300/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$12,100/yr	-$200
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$14,500/yr	-$200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Joliet

$157,300

Choosing Erie saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Joliet breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Illinois 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.