Is private school cheaper in Naperville or Newark?

Naperville has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $19,300/year in Newark. That's $5,500/year less, or $71,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Naperville is $5,500/year less than Newark. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $71,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Naperville, $12,400/year in Newark.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Naperville averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average). Newark averages $19,300/year ($6,950 above average).

Private School Cost: Naperville vs Newark

Naperville averages $5,500/year less for private school (40% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $71,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Naperville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $19,300/year in Newark. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Newark

$19,300

avg tuition/year

$6,950 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Naperville	Newark	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$19,300/yr	-$5,500
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$12,400/yr	-$3,700
Independent/Prep	$31,900/yr	$41,200/yr	-$9,300
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$16,400/yr	-$4,700
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$19,300/yr	-$5,500
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$23,200/yr	-$6,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Naperville

$179,400

Newark

$250,900

Choosing Naperville saves $71,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $143,000.

Sample Schools

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Newark

Seton Hall Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Newark Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Naperville breakdown → Full Newark breakdown →

Illinois private school costs New Jersey 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.