Is private school cheaper in New York City or Chicago?

Chicago has lower average private school tuition at $18,400/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. That's $20,100/year less, or $261,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Chicago over New York City?

Average tuition in Chicago is $20,100/year less than New York City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $261,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,500/year in New York City, $10,200/year in Chicago.

How do New York City and Chicago private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. New York City averages $38,500/year ($26,150 above average). Chicago averages $18,400/year ($6,050 above average).

Private School Cost: New York City vs Chicago

Chicago averages $20,100/year less for private school (109% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $261,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Chicago is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $18,400/year vs $38,500/year in New York City. Religious schools run $10,200/year on the low end.

New York City

$38,500

avg tuition/year

$26,150 above national avg

Chicago

$18,400

avg tuition/year

$6,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	New York City	Chicago	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$38,500/yr	$18,400/yr	+$20,100
Religious Schools	$17,500/yr	$10,200/yr	+$7,300
Independent/Prep	$58,000/yr	$32,000/yr	+$26,000
Elementary (K-5)	$32,000/yr	$15,000/yr	+$17,000
Middle School (6-8)	$38,500/yr	$18,400/yr	+$20,100
High School (9-12)	$48,000/yr	$22,800/yr	+$25,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

New York City

$500,500

Chicago

$239,200

Choosing Chicago saves $261,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $522,600.

Sample Schools

New York City

Dalton School

Independent · K–12 · $60,310/yr

Trinity School NYC

Independent · K–12 · $59,900/yr

Horace Mann School

Independent · K–12 · $59,200/yr

Regis High School

Catholic (tuition-free) · 9–12

Chicago

Latin School of Chicago

Independent · JK–12 · $38,040/yr

University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

Independent · N–12 · $35,700-$38,200/yr

Francis W. Parker School

Independent · JK–12 · $36,800/yr

St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

Full New York City breakdown → Full Chicago breakdown →

New York private school costs Illinois private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → New York vs Philadelphia → Chicago vs Indianapolis → Chicago vs Columbus →

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.