Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Memphis?

Memphis has lower average private school tuition at $10,800/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Memphis is $1,300/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $7,200/year in Memphis.

How do Joliet and Memphis 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). Memphis averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Memphis

Memphis averages $1,300/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Memphis is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,800/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $7,200/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Memphis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$10,800/yr	+$1,300
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$7,200/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$20,500/yr	+$7,400
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$8,800/yr	+$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$10,800/yr	+$1,300
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$13,400/yr	+$1,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Memphis

$140,400

Choosing Memphis saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Memphis

Hutchison School

Independent · PK–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr

Memphis University School

Independent · 7–12 · $18,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Agnes Academy (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Memphis breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Tennessee 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.