Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Minneapolis?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. That's $2,900/year less, or $37,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $2,900/year less than Minneapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $37,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $9,200/year in Minneapolis.

How do Joliet and Minneapolis 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). Minneapolis averages $15,000/year ($2,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Minneapolis

Joliet averages $2,900/year less for private school (24% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $37,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Minneapolis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$15,000/yr	-$2,900
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$9,200/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$27,500/yr	+$400
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$12,200/yr	-$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$15,000/yr	-$2,900
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$18,500/yr	-$4,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Minneapolis

$195,000

Choosing Joliet saves $37,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $75,400.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Minneapolis

Blake School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800-$37,200/yr

Breck School

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Minnehaha Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $16,200-$17,800/yr

De La Salle High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Minneapolis breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Minnesota private school costs

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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.