Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Tuscaloosa?

Tuscaloosa has lower average private school tuition at $7,300/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $4,800/year less, or $62,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tuscaloosa is $4,800/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $62,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $5,400/year in Tuscaloosa.

How do Joliet and Tuscaloosa 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). Tuscaloosa averages $7,300/year ($5,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa averages $4,800/year less for private school (66% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Tuscaloosa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,300/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Tuscaloosa

$7,300

avg tuition/year

$5,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Tuscaloosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$7,300/yr	+$4,800
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$5,400/yr	+$2,200
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$14,800/yr	+$13,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$6,200/yr	+$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$7,300/yr	+$4,800
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$8,800/yr	+$5,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Tuscaloosa

$94,900

Choosing Tuscaloosa saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

Christian Academy of Tuscaloosa

Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,400/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Tuscaloosa breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Alabama 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.