Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Olathe?

Olathe has lower average private school tuition at $8,200/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $3,900/year less, or $50,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Olathe is $3,900/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $50,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $5,800/year in Olathe.

How do Joliet and Olathe 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). Olathe averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Olathe

Olathe averages $3,900/year less for private school (48% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $50,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Olathe is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,200/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $5,800/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Olathe

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Olathe	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,900
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$5,800/yr	+$1,800
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$17,000/yr	+$10,900
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$7,000/yr	+$3,300
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$8,200/yr	+$3,900
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$9,800/yr	+$4,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Olathe

$106,600

Choosing Olathe saves $50,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $101,400.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Olathe

Olathe Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

St. Paul's Episcopal Day School (Olathe)

Episcopal · K–8 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Olathe breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Kansas 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.