Is private school cheaper in Joliet or Washington DC?

Joliet has lower average private school tuition at $12,100/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $16,300/year less, or $211,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Joliet is $16,300/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $211,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Joliet, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Joliet and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Joliet vs Washington DC

Joliet averages $16,300/year less for private school (135% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $211,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Joliet is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,100/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $7,600/year on the low end.

Joliet

$12,100

avg tuition/year

$250 below national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Joliet	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,100/yr	$28,400/yr	-$16,300
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$15,200/yr	-$7,600
Independent/Prep	$27,900/yr	$46,000/yr	-$18,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,300/yr	$23,000/yr	-$12,700
Middle School (6-8)	$12,100/yr	$28,400/yr	-$16,300
High School (9-12)	$14,500/yr	$35,500/yr	-$21,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Joliet

$157,300

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Joliet saves $211,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $423,800.

Sample Schools

Joliet

Joliet Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Plainfield Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Joliet breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Illinois private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

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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.