Is private school cheaper in Naperville or Santa Clarita?

Naperville has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. That's $4,200/year less, or $54,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Naperville is $4,200/year less than Santa Clarita. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $54,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Naperville, $11,700/year in Santa Clarita.

How do Naperville and Santa Clarita 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). Santa Clarita averages $18,000/year ($5,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Naperville vs Santa Clarita

Naperville averages $4,200/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $54,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Naperville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Santa Clarita

$18,000

avg tuition/year

$5,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Naperville	Santa Clarita	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$18,000/yr	-$4,200
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$11,700/yr	-$3,000
Independent/Prep	$31,900/yr	$35,100/yr	-$3,200
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$15,300/yr	-$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$18,000/yr	-$4,200
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$21,600/yr	-$5,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Naperville

$179,400

Santa Clarita

$234,000

Choosing Naperville saves $54,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $109,200.

Sample Schools

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Santa Clarita

The Masters School (Santa Clarita)

Christian · K–12 · $14,800/yr

West Ranch Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Naperville breakdown → Full Santa Clarita 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.