Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Portland?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. That's $6,100/year less, or $79,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $6,100/year less than Portland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $79,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $10,400/year in Portland.

How do Joliet and Portland 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). Portland averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Portland

Joliet averages $6,100/year less for private school (50% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $79,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $18,200/year in Portland. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Portland

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Portland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$18,200/yr	-$6,100
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$10,400/yr	-$2,800
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$31,500/yr	-$3,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$14,800/yr	-$4,500
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$18,200/yr	-$6,100
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$22,500/yr	-$8,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Portland

$236,600

Choosing Joliet saves $79,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $158,600.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Portland

Catlin Gabel School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400-$41,200/yr

Oregon Episcopal School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Portland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Portland breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Oregon 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.