Is private school cheaper in Fort Lauderdale or Joliet?

Fort Lauderdale has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Lauderdale is $400/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale, $7,600/year in Joliet.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average). Joliet averages $12,100/year ($250 below average).

Private School Cost: Fort Lauderdale vs Joliet

Fort Lauderdale averages $400/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

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

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Joliet

$157,300

Choosing Fort Lauderdale saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

Sample Schools

Fort Lauderdale

Pine Crest School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School (Ft. Laud.)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Westminster Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,400/yr

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Fort Lauderdale breakdown → Full Joliet breakdown →

Florida 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.