Is private school cheaper in Peoria or Salem?

Peoria has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Peoria over Salem?

Average tuition in Peoria is $2,700/year less than Salem. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,300/year in Peoria, $8,400/year in Salem.

How do Peoria and Salem private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Peoria averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average). Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average).

Private School Cost: Peoria vs Salem

Peoria averages $2,700/year less for private school (28% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Peoria is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. Religious schools run $7,300/year on the low end.

Peoria

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Peoria	Salem	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$12,400/yr	-$2,700
Religious Schools	$7,300/yr	$8,400/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$18,500/yr	$25,000/yr	-$6,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$10,500/yr	-$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$12,400/yr	-$2,700
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$14,900/yr	-$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Peoria

$126,100

Salem

$161,200

Choosing Peoria saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

Sample Schools

Peoria

Sandra Day O'Connor Prep (Peoria)

Independent · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Deer Valley Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Peoria breakdown → Full Salem breakdown →

Arizona private school costs Oregon 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.