Is private school cheaper in Joliet or New York City?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $26,400/year less, or $343,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $26,400/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $343,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $17,500/year in New York City.

How do Joliet and New York City 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 York City averages $38,500/year ($26,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs New York City

Joliet averages $26,400/year less for private school (218% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $343,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

New York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	New York City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$38,500/yr	-$26,400
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$17,500/yr	-$9,900
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$58,000/yr	-$30,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$32,000/yr	-$21,700
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$38,500/yr	-$26,400
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$48,000/yr	-$33,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

New York City

$500,500

Choosing Joliet saves $343,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $686,400.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

New York City

Dalton School

Independent · K–12 · $60,310/yr

Trinity School NYC

Independent · K–12 · $59,900/yr

Horace Mann School

Independent · K–12 · $59,200/yr

Regis High School

Catholic (tuition-free) · 9–12

Full Joliet breakdown → Full New York City breakdown →

Illinois private school costs New York 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.