Is private school cheaper in Louisville or Naperville?

Louisville has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. That's $2,300/year less, or $29,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Louisville over Naperville?

Average tuition in Louisville is $2,300/year less than Naperville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $29,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Louisville, $8,700/year in Naperville.

How do Louisville and Naperville private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Louisville averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Naperville averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Louisville vs Naperville

Louisville averages $2,300/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $29,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Louisville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Louisville

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Louisville	Naperville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$13,800/yr	-$2,300
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$8,700/yr	-$900
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$31,900/yr	-$10,400
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$11,700/yr	-$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$13,800/yr	-$2,300
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$16,600/yr	-$2,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Louisville

$149,500

Naperville

$179,400

Choosing Louisville saves $29,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $59,800.

Sample Schools

Louisville

Louisville Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Bellarmine University Prep (Affiliated)

Reference · N/A

Male High School (Public Magnet)

Magnet (Free) · 9–12

Trinity High School (Louisville)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Full Louisville breakdown → Full Naperville breakdown →

Kentucky private school costs Illinois 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.