Is private school cheaper in Naperville or Waterbury?

Naperville has lower average private school tuition at $13,800/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $6,700/year less, or $87,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Naperville is $6,700/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $87,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Naperville, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Naperville and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Naperville vs Waterbury

Naperville averages $6,700/year less for private school (49% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $87,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Naperville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,800/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Naperville	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$20,500/yr	-$6,700
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$11,300/yr	-$2,600
Independent/Prep	$31,900/yr	$40,800/yr	-$8,900
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$17,400/yr	-$5,700
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$20,500/yr	-$6,700
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$24,600/yr	-$8,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Naperville

$179,400

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Naperville saves $87,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $174,200.

Sample Schools

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Naperville breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Connecticut 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.