Is private school cheaper in Naperville or Sacramento?

Naperville has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Naperville is $2,200/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Naperville, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

How do Naperville and Sacramento 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). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Naperville vs Sacramento

Naperville averages $2,200/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Naperville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Naperville	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$16,000/yr	-$2,200
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$9,800/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$31,900/yr	$28,500/yr	+$3,400
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$13,000/yr	-$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$16,000/yr	-$2,200
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$19,800/yr	-$3,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Naperville

$179,400

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Naperville saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

Sample Schools

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Full Naperville breakdown → Full Sacramento breakdown →

Illinois private school costs California 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.