Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Lee's Summit?

Lee's Summit has lower average private school tuition at $8,600/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lee's Summit over Joliet?

Average tuition in Lee's Summit is $3,500/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $6,100/year in Lee's Summit.

How do Joliet and Lee's Summit private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Joliet averages $12,100/year ($250 below average). Lee's Summit averages $8,600/year ($3,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Lee's Summit

Lee's Summit averages $3,500/year less for private school (41% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Lee's Summit is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,600/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $6,100/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lee's Summit

$8,600

avg tuition/year

$3,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Lee's Summit	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$8,600/yr	+$3,500
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$6,100/yr	+$1,500
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$20,100/yr	+$7,800
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$7,300/yr	+$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$8,600/yr	+$3,500
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$10,300/yr	+$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Lee's Summit

$111,800

Choosing Lee's Summit saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Lee's Summit

Summit Christian Academy (Lee's Summit)

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Holy Spirit Catholic School (LSummit)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Lee's Summit breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Missouri 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.