Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Pittsburgh?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $100/year less than Pittsburgh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

How do Joliet and Pittsburgh 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). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Pittsburgh

Joliet averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$12,200/yr	-$100
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$7,800/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$22,800/yr	+$5,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$10,000/yr	+$300
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$12,200/yr	-$100
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$15,000/yr	-$500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Joliet saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Pittsburgh

Shady Side Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $27,800-$29,400/yr

Winchester Thurston School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,200-$27,600/yr

Central Catholic High School (Pittsburgh)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

North Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,800/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Pennsylvania 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.