Is private school cheaper in Gainesville or Joliet?

Gainesville has lower average private school tuition at $9,900/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Gainesville is $2,200/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,800/year in Gainesville, $7,600/year in Joliet.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Gainesville averages $9,900/year ($2,450 below average). Joliet averages $12,100/year ($250 below average).

Private School Cost: Gainesville vs Joliet

Gainesville averages $2,200/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Gainesville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,900/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Gainesville

$9,900

avg tuition/year

$2,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Gainesville	Joliet	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,900/yr	$12,100/yr	-$2,200
Religious Schools	$6,800/yr	$7,600/yr	-$800
Independent/Prep	$20,400/yr	$27,900/yr	-$7,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$10,300/yr	-$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$9,900/yr	$12,100/yr	-$2,200
High School (9-12)	$11,900/yr	$14,500/yr	-$2,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Gainesville

$128,700

Joliet

$157,300

Choosing Gainesville saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

Sample Schools

Gainesville

Buchholz High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Gainesville Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Gainesville 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.