Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Sparks?

Sparks has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $900/year less, or $11,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sparks is $900/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $11,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $7,800/year in Sparks.

How do Joliet and Sparks 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). Sparks averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Sparks

Sparks averages $900/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Sparks is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Sparks

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Sparks	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$11,200/yr	+$900
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$7,800/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$22,500/yr	+$5,400
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$9,500/yr	+$800
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$11,200/yr	+$900
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$13,400/yr	+$1,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Sparks

$145,600

Choosing Sparks saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Sparks

Coral Academy of Science (Sparks)

Independent · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr

St. Albert School (Sparks)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Sparks breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Nevada 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.