Is private school cheaper in Joliet or San Jose?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $13,100/year less, or $170,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $13,100/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $170,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Joliet and San Jose 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 Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs San Jose

Joliet averages $13,100/year less for private school (108% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $170,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$25,200/yr	-$13,100
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$13,800/yr	-$6,200
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$40,500/yr	-$12,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$20,500/yr	-$10,200
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$25,200/yr	-$13,100
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$31,200/yr	-$16,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Joliet saves $170,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $340,600.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

San Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full San Jose 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.