Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Mesa?

Mesa has lower average private school tuition at $9,400/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Mesa is $2,700/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $7,000/year in Mesa.

How do Joliet and Mesa 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). Mesa averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Mesa

Mesa averages $2,700/year less for private school (29% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Mesa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,400/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Mesa

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Mesa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$9,400/yr	+$2,700
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$7,000/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$18,000/yr	+$9,900
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$8,000/yr	+$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$9,400/yr	+$2,700
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$11,300/yr	+$3,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Mesa

$122,200

Choosing Mesa saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Mesa

Gilbert Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Mesa Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Mesa breakdown →

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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.