Is private school cheaper in Naperville or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $11,100/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $2,700/year less than Naperville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Naperville, $7,000/year in Springfield.

How do Naperville and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $11,100/year ($1,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Naperville vs Springfield

Springfield averages $2,700/year less for private school (24% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,100/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Springfield

$11,100

avg tuition/year

$1,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Naperville	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$11,100/yr	+$2,700
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$7,000/yr	+$1,700
Independent/Prep	$31,900/yr	$25,700/yr	+$6,200
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$9,400/yr	+$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$11,100/yr	+$2,700
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$13,300/yr	+$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Naperville

$179,400

Springfield

$144,300

Choosing Springfield saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

Sample Schools

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Springfield

Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Springfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Full Naperville breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

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.