Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Salem?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $300/year less than Salem. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $8,400/year in Salem.

How do Joliet and Salem 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). Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Salem

Joliet averages $300/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Salem	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$12,400/yr	-$300
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$8,400/yr	-$800
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$25,000/yr	+$2,900
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$10,500/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$12,400/yr	-$300
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$14,900/yr	-$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Salem

$161,200

Choosing Joliet saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Salem breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Oregon 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.