Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Thornton?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $1,000/year less than Thornton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $13,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Joliet and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Thornton

Joliet averages $1,000/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$13,100/yr	-$1,000
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$8,500/yr	-$900
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$25,700/yr	+$2,200
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$11,100/yr	-$800
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$13,100/yr	-$1,000
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$15,700/yr	-$1,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Joliet saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Colorado 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.