Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Tampa?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $400/year less than Tampa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $8,200/year in Tampa.

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

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Tampa

Joliet averages $400/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$12,500/yr	-$400
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$8,200/yr	-$600
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$23,500/yr	+$4,400
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$10,200/yr	+$100
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$12,500/yr	-$400
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$15,500/yr	-$1,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Joliet saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.