Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Riverside?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $2,800/year less, or $36,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $2,800/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $36,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Joliet and Riverside 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). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Riverside

Joliet averages $2,800/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$14,900/yr	-$2,800
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$9,700/yr	-$2,100
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$29,000/yr	-$1,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$12,700/yr	-$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$14,900/yr	-$2,800
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$17,900/yr	-$3,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Joliet saves $36,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $72,800.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Illinois private school costs California 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.