Is private school cheaper in Joliet or San Diego?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. That's $9,100/year less, or $118,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $9,100/year less than San Diego. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $118,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $11,500/year in San Diego.

How do Joliet and San Diego 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 Diego averages $21,200/year ($8,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs San Diego

Joliet averages $9,100/year less for private school (75% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $118,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $21,200/year in San Diego. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

San Diego

$21,200

avg tuition/year

$8,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	San Diego	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$21,200/yr	-$9,100
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$11,500/yr	-$3,900
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$36,500/yr	-$8,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$17,500/yr	-$7,200
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$21,200/yr	-$9,100
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$26,000/yr	-$11,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

San Diego

$275,600

Choosing Joliet saves $118,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $236,600.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

San Diego

Bishop's School

Independent · 7–12 · $43,200/yr

La Jolla Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,800-$41,200/yr

Francis Parker School

Independent · K–12 · $36,400-$38,800/yr

Cathedral Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,800/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full San Diego breakdown →

Illinois private school costs California 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.