Is private school cheaper in Joliet or San Bernardino?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $13,800/year in San Bernardino. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $1,700/year less than San Bernardino. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $9,000/year in San Bernardino.

How do Joliet and San Bernardino 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). San Bernardino averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs San Bernardino

Joliet averages $1,700/year less for private school (14% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $13,800/year in San Bernardino. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

San Bernardino

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	San Bernardino	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$13,800/yr	-$1,700
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$9,000/yr	-$1,400
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$26,800/yr	+$1,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$11,700/yr	-$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$13,800/yr	-$1,700
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$16,600/yr	-$2,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

San Bernardino

$179,400

Choosing Joliet saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

San Bernardino

Our Lady of the Assumption School

Catholic · PK–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

San Bernardino Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,200/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full San Bernardino 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.