Is private school cheaper in Jersey City or Joliet?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. That's $8,800/year less, or $114,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $8,800/year less than Jersey City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $114,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Jersey City, $7,600/year in Joliet.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Jersey City averages $20,900/year ($8,550 above average). Joliet averages $12,100/year ($250 below average).

Private School Cost: Jersey City vs Joliet

Joliet averages $8,800/year less for private school (73% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $114,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Jersey City

$20,900

avg tuition/year

$8,550 above national avg

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Jersey City	Joliet	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,900/yr	$12,100/yr	+$8,800
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$7,600/yr	+$5,900
Independent/Prep	$44,800/yr	$27,900/yr	+$16,900
Elementary (K-5)	$17,800/yr	$10,300/yr	+$7,500
Middle School (6-8)	$20,900/yr	$12,100/yr	+$8,800
High School (9-12)	$25,100/yr	$14,500/yr	+$10,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Jersey City

$271,700

Joliet

$157,300

Choosing Joliet saves $114,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $228,800.

Sample Schools

Jersey City

Hudson Catholic Regional High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Saint Aloysius Academy (Jersey City)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Jersey City breakdown → Full Joliet breakdown →

New Jersey 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.