Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Madison?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $2,800/year less, or $36,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Madison is $2,800/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $36,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $6,300/year in Madison.

How do Joliet and Madison 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). Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Madison

Madison averages $2,800/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Madison	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$9,300/yr	+$2,800
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$6,300/yr	+$1,300
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$21,100/yr	+$6,800
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$7,900/yr	+$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$9,300/yr	+$2,800
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$11,200/yr	+$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Madison

$120,900

Choosing Madison saves $36,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $72,800.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Madison

Edgewood Campus School

Catholic · PK–8 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Madison breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Wisconsin 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.