Is private school cheaper in Fresno or Joliet?

Fresno has lower average private school tuition at $10,500/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fresno is $1,600/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Fresno, $7,600/year in Joliet.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fresno averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average). Joliet averages $12,100/year ($250 below average).

Private School Cost: Fresno vs Joliet

Fresno averages $1,600/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Fresno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,500/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fresno	Joliet	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$12,100/yr	-$1,600
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$7,600/yr	-$600
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$27,900/yr	-$8,400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$10,300/yr	-$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$12,100/yr	-$1,600
High School (9-12)	$12,900/yr	$14,500/yr	-$1,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fresno

$136,500

Joliet

$157,300

Choosing Fresno saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

Sample Schools

Fresno

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$10,800/yr

Central High School (Fresno) (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Bullard Talent School

Magnet (Free) · K–8

Fresno Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$11,400/yr

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Fresno breakdown → Full Joliet breakdown →

California 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.