Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Naperville?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $1,700/year less than Naperville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $8,700/year in Naperville.

How do Joliet and Naperville 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). Naperville averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Naperville

Joliet averages $1,700/year less for private school (14% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Naperville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$13,800/yr	-$1,700
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$8,700/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$31,900/yr	-$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$11,700/yr	-$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$13,800/yr	-$1,700
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$16,600/yr	-$2,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Naperville

$179,400

Choosing Joliet saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Naperville breakdown →

Illinois 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.