Is private school cheaper in Fayetteville or Joliet?

Fayetteville has lower average private school tuition at $9,000/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $3,100/year less, or $40,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fayetteville is $3,100/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $40,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Fayetteville, $7,600/year in Joliet.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fayetteville averages $9,000/year ($3,350 below average). Joliet averages $12,100/year ($250 below average).

Private School Cost: Fayetteville vs Joliet

Fayetteville averages $3,100/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $40,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Fayetteville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,000/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Fayetteville

$9,000

avg tuition/year

$3,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fayetteville	Joliet	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,000/yr	$12,100/yr	-$3,100
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$7,600/yr	-$1,300
Independent/Prep	$18,900/yr	$27,900/yr	-$9,000
Elementary (K-5)	$7,700/yr	$10,300/yr	-$2,600
Middle School (6-8)	$9,000/yr	$12,100/yr	-$3,100
High School (9-12)	$10,800/yr	$14,500/yr	-$3,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fayetteville

$117,000

Joliet

$157,300

Choosing Fayetteville saves $40,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $80,600.

Sample Schools

Fayetteville

Cape Fear Academy (Wilmington)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Fayetteville Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Fayetteville breakdown → Full Joliet breakdown →

North Carolina 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.