Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Philadelphia?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $8,100/year less, or $105,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $8,100/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $105,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

How do Joliet and Philadelphia 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). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Philadelphia

Joliet averages $8,100/year less for private school (67% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $105,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$20,200/yr	-$8,100
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$11,400/yr	-$3,800
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$36,000/yr	-$8,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$16,500/yr	-$6,200
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$20,200/yr	-$8,100
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$25,000/yr	-$10,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Joliet saves $105,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $210,600.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Philadelphia

Episcopal Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

The Haverford School

Independent · PK–12 · $41,200/yr

Germantown Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · K–12 · $38,600/yr

La Salle College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Philadelphia → Boston vs Philadelphia →

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.