Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Rochester?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. That's $6,000/year less, or $78,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $6,000/year less than Rochester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $78,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $10,400/year in Rochester.

How do Joliet and Rochester 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). Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Rochester

Joliet averages $6,000/year less for private school (50% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Rochester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$18,100/yr	-$6,000
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$10,400/yr	-$2,800
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$38,500/yr	-$10,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$15,400/yr	-$5,100
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$18,100/yr	-$6,000
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$21,700/yr	-$7,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Rochester

$235,300

Choosing Joliet saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Rochester breakdown →

Illinois private school costs New York 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.