Is private school cheaper in Naperville or Thornton?

Thornton has lower average private school tuition at $13,100/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Thornton is $700/year less than Naperville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Naperville, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Naperville and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Naperville vs Thornton

Thornton averages $700/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Thornton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,100/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. Religious schools run $8,500/year on the low end.

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Naperville	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$13,100/yr	+$700
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$8,500/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$31,900/yr	$25,700/yr	+$6,200
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$11,100/yr	+$600
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$13,100/yr	+$700
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$15,700/yr	+$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Naperville

$179,400

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Thornton saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

Sample Schools

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Naperville breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Colorado 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.