Is private school cheaper in Joliet or New Orleans?

New Orleans has lower average private school tuition at $11,800/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in New Orleans is $300/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

How do Joliet and New Orleans 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). New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs New Orleans

New Orleans averages $300/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

New Orleans is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,800/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$11,800/yr	+$300
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$7,600/yr	Same
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$22,000/yr	+$5,900
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$9,600/yr	+$700
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$11,800/yr	+$300
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$14,600/yr	-$100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing New Orleans saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

New Orleans

Tulane-affiliated University Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr

Jesuit High School New Orleans

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr

Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)

Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr

Brother Martin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full New Orleans breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Louisiana 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.