Is private school cheaper in Hartford or Joliet?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $15,900/year less, or $206,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $15,900/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $206,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $15,800/year in Hartford, $7,600/year in Joliet.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Hartford averages $28,000/year ($15,650 above average). Joliet averages $12,100/year ($250 below average).

Private School Cost: Hartford vs Joliet

Joliet averages $15,900/year less for private school (131% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $206,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Hartford	Joliet	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$28,000/yr	$12,100/yr	+$15,900
Religious Schools	$15,800/yr	$7,600/yr	+$8,200
Independent/Prep	$44,500/yr	$27,900/yr	+$16,600
Elementary (K-5)	$22,800/yr	$10,300/yr	+$12,500
Middle School (6-8)	$28,000/yr	$12,100/yr	+$15,900
High School (9-12)	$35,000/yr	$14,500/yr	+$20,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Hartford

$364,000

Joliet

$157,300

Choosing Joliet saves $206,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $413,400.

Sample Schools

Hartford

Kingswood Oxford School

Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr

Loomis Chaffee School

Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr

Watkinson School

Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr

Northwest Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Hartford breakdown → Full Joliet breakdown →

Connecticut 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.