Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Meridian?

Meridian has lower average private school tuition at $7,800/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Meridian is $4,300/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $5,300/year in Meridian.

How do Joliet and Meridian 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). Meridian averages $7,800/year ($4,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Meridian

Meridian averages $4,300/year less for private school (55% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Meridian is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,800/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $5,300/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Meridian

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Meridian	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$7,800/yr	+$4,300
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$5,300/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$15,100/yr	+$12,800
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$6,600/yr	+$3,700
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$7,800/yr	+$4,300
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$9,400/yr	+$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Meridian

$101,400

Choosing Meridian saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Meridian

Nampa Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Victory Charter School (Meridian)

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Meridian breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Idaho 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.