Is private school cheaper in South Bend or Thornton?

South Bend has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. That's $5,700/year less, or $74,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in South Bend is $5,700/year less than Thornton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $74,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in South Bend, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do South Bend and Thornton private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. South Bend averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: South Bend vs Thornton

South Bend averages $5,700/year less for private school (77% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $74,100 per child.

Bottom Line

South Bend is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

South Bend

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	South Bend	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,400/yr	$13,100/yr	-$5,700
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$8,500/yr	-$3,000
Independent/Prep	$15,400/yr	$25,700/yr	-$10,300
Elementary (K-5)	$6,300/yr	$11,100/yr	-$4,800
Middle School (6-8)	$7,400/yr	$13,100/yr	-$5,700
High School (9-12)	$8,900/yr	$15,700/yr	-$6,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

South Bend

$96,200

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing South Bend saves $74,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $148,200.

Sample Schools

South Bend

Saint Joseph High School (South Bend)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

South Bend STEM Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/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 South Bend breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

Indiana 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.