Is private school cheaper in Naperville or Springfield?

Naperville has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $8,700/year less, or $113,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Naperville is $8,700/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $113,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Naperville, $12,200/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 $22,500/year ($10,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Naperville vs Springfield

Naperville averages $8,700/year less for private school (63% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $113,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Naperville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Naperville	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$22,500/yr	-$8,700
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$12,200/yr	-$3,500
Independent/Prep	$31,900/yr	$45,800/yr	-$13,900
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$19,100/yr	-$7,400
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$22,500/yr	-$8,700
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$27,000/yr	-$10,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Naperville

$179,400

Springfield

$292,500

Choosing Naperville saves $113,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $226,200.

Sample Schools

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Naperville breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Massachusetts 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.