Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Montgomery?

Montgomery has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Montgomery is $4,700/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $5,500/year in Montgomery.

How do Joliet and Montgomery 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). Montgomery averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Montgomery

Montgomery averages $4,700/year less for private school (64% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Montgomery is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Montgomery

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Montgomery	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$7,400/yr	+$4,700
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$5,500/yr	+$2,100
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$15,100/yr	+$12,800
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$6,300/yr	+$4,000
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$7,400/yr	+$4,700
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$8,900/yr	+$5,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Montgomery

$96,200

Choosing Montgomery saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Montgomery

Montgomery Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,200/yr

Saint James School (Montgomery)

Christian · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Montgomery breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Alabama 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.