Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Santa Rosa?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. That's $5,500/year less, or $71,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $5,500/year less than Santa Rosa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $71,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $11,400/year in Santa Rosa.

How do Joliet and Santa Rosa 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). Santa Rosa averages $17,600/year ($5,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Santa Rosa

Joliet averages $5,500/year less for private school (45% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $71,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Santa Rosa

$17,600

avg tuition/year

$5,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Santa Rosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$17,600/yr	-$5,500
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$11,400/yr	-$3,800
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$34,200/yr	-$6,300
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$15,000/yr	-$4,700
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$17,600/yr	-$5,500
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$21,100/yr	-$6,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Santa Rosa

$228,800

Choosing Joliet saves $71,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $143,000.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Santa Rosa

Cardinal Newman High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Rincon Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Santa Rosa 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.