Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Springfield?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $10,400/year less, or $135,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $10,400/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $135,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $12,200/year in Springfield.

How do Joliet and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Springfield

Joliet averages $10,400/year less for private school (86% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $135,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$22,500/yr	-$10,400
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$12,200/yr	-$4,600
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$45,800/yr	-$17,900
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$19,100/yr	-$8,800
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$22,500/yr	-$10,400
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$27,000/yr	-$12,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Springfield

$292,500

Choosing Joliet saves $135,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $270,400.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Massachusetts 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.