Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. That's $2,000/year less, or $26,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Waco is $2,000/year less than Joliet. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $26,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $6,900/year in Waco.

How do Joliet and Waco 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). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Waco

Waco averages $2,000/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $12,100/year in Joliet. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$10,100/yr	+$2,000
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$6,900/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$21,300/yr	+$6,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$8,600/yr	+$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$10,100/yr	+$2,000
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$12,100/yr	+$2,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Texas 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.