Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Topeka?

Topeka has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $5,200/year less, or $67,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Topeka is $5,200/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $67,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $4,800/year in Topeka.

How do Joliet and Topeka 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). Topeka averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Topeka

Topeka averages $5,200/year less for private school (75% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $67,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Topeka is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Topeka

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Topeka	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$6,900/yr	+$5,200
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$4,800/yr	+$2,800
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$14,300/yr	+$13,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$5,900/yr	+$4,400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$6,900/yr	+$5,200
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$8,300/yr	+$6,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Topeka

$89,700

Choosing Topeka saves $67,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $135,200.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Topeka

Topeka Collegiate School

Independent · K–8 · $12,400/yr

Hayden Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Topeka breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Kansas 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.