Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Macon?

Macon has lower average private school tuition at $9,600/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $2,500/year less, or $32,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Macon is $2,500/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $32,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $6,600/year in Macon.

How do Joliet and Macon 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). Macon averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Macon

Macon averages $2,500/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $32,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Macon is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Macon

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Macon	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$9,600/yr	+$2,500
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$6,600/yr	+$1,000
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$19,400/yr	+$8,500
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$8,200/yr	+$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$9,600/yr	+$2,500
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$11,500/yr	+$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Macon

$124,800

Choosing Macon saves $32,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $65,000.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Macon

Stratford Academy (Macon)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Mount de Sales Academy

Catholic · PK–12 · $10,800/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Macon breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Georgia 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.