Is private school cheaper in Naperville or Sterling Heights?

Sterling Heights has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. That's $4,500/year less, or $58,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sterling Heights is $4,500/year less than Naperville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $58,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Naperville, $6,400/year in Sterling Heights.

How do Naperville and Sterling Heights 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). Sterling Heights averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Naperville vs Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights averages $4,500/year less for private school (48% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $58,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Sterling Heights is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. Religious schools run $6,400/year on the low end.

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Sterling Heights

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Naperville	Sterling Heights	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$9,300/yr	+$4,500
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$6,400/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$31,900/yr	$19,800/yr	+$12,100
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$7,900/yr	+$3,800
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$9,300/yr	+$4,500
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$11,200/yr	+$5,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Naperville

$179,400

Sterling Heights

$120,900

Choosing Sterling Heights saves $58,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $117,000.

Sample Schools

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Sterling Heights

De La Salle Collegiate High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,800/yr

Utica Community Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Naperville breakdown → Full Sterling Heights breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Michigan 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.