Is private school cheaper in Naperville or Tallahassee?

Tallahassee has lower average private school tuition at $9,900/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. That's $3,900/year less, or $50,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tallahassee is $3,900/year less than Naperville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $50,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Naperville, $6,800/year in Tallahassee.

How do Naperville and Tallahassee 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). Tallahassee averages $9,900/year ($2,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Naperville vs Tallahassee

Tallahassee averages $3,900/year less for private school (39% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $50,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Tallahassee is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,900/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. Religious schools run $6,800/year on the low end.

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Tallahassee

$9,900

avg tuition/year

$2,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Naperville	Tallahassee	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$9,900/yr	+$3,900
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$6,800/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$31,900/yr	$20,400/yr	+$11,500
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$8,400/yr	+$3,300
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$9,900/yr	+$3,900
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$11,900/yr	+$4,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Naperville

$179,400

Tallahassee

$128,700

Choosing Tallahassee saves $50,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $101,400.

Sample Schools

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Tallahassee

Maclay School (Tallahassee)

Independent · PK–12 · $18,400/yr

St. John Paul II Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Full Naperville breakdown → Full Tallahassee breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Florida 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.