Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Seattle?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $12,400/year less, or $161,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $12,400/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $161,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do Joliet and Seattle 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). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Seattle

Joliet averages $12,400/year less for private school (102% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $161,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$24,500/yr	-$12,400
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$13,200/yr	-$5,600
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$38,000/yr	-$10,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$20,000/yr	-$9,700
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$24,500/yr	-$12,400
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$30,500/yr	-$16,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Joliet saves $161,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $322,400.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Washington 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.