Is private school cheaper in Naperville or Rochester?

Naperville has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Naperville is $4,300/year less than Rochester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Naperville, $10,400/year in Rochester.

How do Naperville and Rochester 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). Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Naperville vs Rochester

Naperville averages $4,300/year less for private school (31% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Naperville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Naperville	Rochester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$18,100/yr	-$4,300
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$10,400/yr	-$1,700
Independent/Prep	$31,900/yr	$38,500/yr	-$6,600
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$15,400/yr	-$3,700
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$18,100/yr	-$4,300
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$21,700/yr	-$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Naperville

$179,400

Rochester

$235,300

Choosing Naperville saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

Sample Schools

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Naperville breakdown → Full Rochester breakdown →

Illinois private school costs New York 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.