How Much Does It Cost To Attend A Private University In Illinois
The average student attending a private university in Illinois paid $35,570 in tuition and $13,506 in room and board in 2019-20, according to the National Center for Education Statistics . Students must also consider the costs of textbooks, supplies , transportation, and personal expenses.
Degrees from the best private schools in Illinois tend to come with a higher return on investment. Top-quality programs and academic opportunities lead to higher-than-average salaries for private school graduates compared to those who attend public colleges and universities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The University of Chicago is among Illinois’ most expensive private universities, while the National Louis University Chicago campus is among the least expensive. Tuition at these institutions in 2021-22 was $59,256 and$10,755, respectively.
British International School Of Chicago Lincoln Park
National Curriculum for England/ International Primary Curriculum/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma/ BISC High School Diploma ages 2-11 co-ed day independent privately owned 600 students 1,100 students
Founded in 2001 as the British School of Chicago and now on two campuses. South Loop teaches children, all-through, from UK nursery to year 13 whilst Lincoln Park takes children from age two and finishes at year 6 .There is a slightly lower student: teacher ratio and average class size in the South Loop school. Both campuses are now owned by Nord Anglia Education, which currently runs over 65 schools in nearly 30 countries.
Why Choose A Private University In Illinois
Illinois has 96 private four-year colleges and universities and 63 public postsecondary institutions. Many students prefer private schools over their public counterparts due to their strong focus on academics, smaller class sizes, close-knit communities, and access to co-curricular opportunities.
Although private universities generally cost more than public institutions, students can qualify for financial aid and academic or need-based scholarships that bring down the cost of attending a private school. With financial aid, attending a private four-year college may come with similar or even lower costs than public schools.
Conversely, some students prefer not to attend private universities in Illinois due to their relative lack of diversity, limited majors and course offerings, and demanding schedules. Private schools typically charge higher tuition rates. For students with limited financial aid support, private schools can be expensive.
Students should examine numerous factors when choosing whether to attend a public or private school for their postsecondary studies.
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Rye Country Day School
Rye Country Day School, which was founded in 1869, is a co-ed day school in a town on Long Island Sound, north of New Rochelle on Connecticut border.
While Rye Country Day has a consistent rate of students who matriculate into top-tier schools, it also maintains a deep commitment to community service.
Diversity also plays a prominent role on campus: Out of the many co-curricular clubs and activities Rye offers, nine are student clubs that promote diversity on the campus.
The school requires a Senior Term mandatory graduation project. .
Awards, Ranking, Alumni, Tuition:
- Ranked #21 on a list of top schools by the Wall Street Journal in 2007
- Alumni include Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Edward Albee, first lady Barbara Bush, and TV actor Nick Kroll
- Tuition: $34,600
What Is The Least Expensive Private University In Illinois

The National Louis University Chicago campus is among the least expensive private universities in Illinois. The school charged a tuition rate of about $10,700 for the 2021-22 academic year. Students can also save money on on-campus fees by completing some of their coursework online.
On the other hand, the university has a much lower undergraduate graduation rate than other private universities in the state. The school’s undergraduate competition rate was just 39% in the 2020-21 school year. Comparatively, Northwestern University’s graduation rate is 94%.
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Chicago Academy For The Arts
Neighborhood: River West
Grades: 9th through 12th grade
Annual Tuition: $27,990
If your child is serious about pursuing a lifelong career in the creative arts, this is the first Chicago private school to consider. Two out of three graduates from the Chicago Academy for the Arts end up with a job in the arts.
However, each prospective student must also successfully pass an audition or submit a portfolio, depending on their desired area of study.
After the academic portion of each day, students spend between three and five hours training in their discipline. It pays off the graduating class receives up to $10 million in scholarship offers each year, and alumni have gone on to win Grammys and other awards.
With so many great private school options in Chicago, you wont have to worry about finding a safe and positive environment to send your child to each day.
When relocating as a family, finding a suitable school and home go hand in hand. Whats most important as a parent is to ensure that your kids feel at ease in the whole spaces they may identify with most.
At the end of the school day, come home to a Blueground apartment. You and your family will settle into having a central location, second bedrooms that can be furnished as a kids room and app-enabled services so you can make the most of your first year in Chicago.
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Rochelle Zell Jewish Academy
Rochelle Zell Jewish Academy was ranked by Chicago Magazine as one of the top ten private high schools in the Chicago area. Niche ranks Rochelle Zell as the number one best Jewish school in Illinois, giving it an A+ for academics, clubs and activities, and college prep, an A for teachers, a B- for sports, and a C for diversity. This school is home to 185 students and has a student-to-teacher ratio of 6 to 1. 100% of students who graduate continue to attend a 4-year university.
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Choosing The Best School For Your Child
Choosing the type of school your child will attend can be overwhelming and is often one of the most challenging decisions parents will face in their journey of doing the best for their children. The most important thing to remember is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s a decision that should be carefully weighed depending on what’s available to you, the needs of your child, the needs of you, and of course financial considerations.
To help you in this decision, we offer a comprehensive listing of private schools, preschools, enrichment programs, and daycare options in your area.
Most schools offer open houses or parent information sessions multiple times throughout the year, some private schools will even do private tours of the grounds. We highly recommend taking advantage of these! Online research is a valuable resource, however, in person visits will really help you get a feel for the school, the faculty, and peers.
Choosing the type of school your child will attend can be overwhelming and is often one of the most challenging decisions parents will face in their journey of doing the best for their children. The most important thing to remember is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s a decision that should be carefully weighed depending on what’s available to you, the needs of your child, the needs of you, and of course financial considerations.
How Many Private Universities Are There In Illinois
There are 108 private universities and colleges in Illinois. These include 96 4-year universities and 17 2-year institutions. Of these, 88 are nonprofit institutions. A majority of these schools are in the Chicagoland area, while only six are in the southern part of the state.
There are more private than public universities in Illinois: The state is home to 63 public universities.
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$34,050 Students from more than 20 suburbs attend Winnetkas North Shore Country Day School, which was established in 1919 by 12 families. North Shore Country Day School celebrated its 100th graduating class in spring 2019.
$34,900 GEMS World Academy Chicago is in Lakeshore East and is scheduled to open a new upper school building later this fall.
$35,952 Located in Hyde Park, the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools were home to Sasha and Malia Obama before the family left Chicago for Washington. The school offers free classes at the University of Chicago once students pass the regular curriculum.
$36,675 Parents recruited Mabel Slade Vickery as the first headmistress of the Latin School of Chicago in 1888. Her birthday, Sept. 13, is still celebrated at the school. Fun fact: Pam Netzky, the co-founder and president of SkinnyPop graduated from Latin in 1993.
The Best High Schools In Illinois Public And Private
School districts and property values are entirely interdependent. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, for every $1 spent on school funding, nearby home values increase by about $20. And as any parent can tell you, schools are a top if not the top consideration when buying a new home.
However, in the Chicagoland area, there are also many non-neighborhood school options. Among them, private schools, charter schools and CPS selective enrollment schools. Taking these all into account, Stacker has revealed this years high school rankings, based on statistics from the online education resource Niche. Niche uses various factors to determine the best of the best. Academics weighs the most heavily, deriving from statistics like state test assessments, SAT and ACT test scores, graduation rates and AP enrollment. Less quantifiable attributes, like culture and diversity, teachers, clubs, health and safety, resources, facilities and sports, are based on parent and student surveys. According to the diverse set of data, these are the best Illinois schools.
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Best Private High Schools In The Chicago Area
Sophomore: I was a student at lab since preschool, and I can say I thoroughly enjoyed it. The lower grades especially had something special about them. Elementary classes were based on projects and exploration, rather than rigid academics, which allowed me as a student to grow at my own pace. Middle school and high school were less special, but it remained a positive experience. Classes were challenging enough and there were a variety of more difficult options if we were advanced in a certain topic. One great thing about the upper grades are their clubs. Clubs and teams are open to anyone, no matter their skill. This allowed me to explore things I was interested in, without having the worry of tryouts or not being good enough. In my years at the school, I never experienced bullying, and rarely came across it with other students. That said my circle was a small and close-knit group, and that might not have been the experience of all…. Read 130 reviews
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Can I Get More Scholarship Money At A Private University

Many private colleges in Illinois maintain large endowments and scholarship funds to help students cover the costs of tuition, room and board, and other expenses as they pursue their degrees. These funds come from alumni contributions , tuition funds, private donations, and various other sources. As a result, private universities in Illinois tend to offer many more scholarship opportunities to students compared to public schools.
According to NCES , students at nonprofit private schools received an average of $24,080 in grants and scholarships during the 2018-19 school year. In comparison, students at public universities received an average of $8,310.
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Gems World Academy Chicago
PYP/ MYP / IB Diploma ages 3-16 co-ed day independent privately owned 440 students
Lower school opened in 2014 and growing organically, currently accepting applications up to grade 11. A member of the education company GEMS World Academy Connect, a group of private schools with campuses in the Middle East, Singapore and Switzerland. Located in downtown Chicago, at present with smaller numbers in the older years. Accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges .
Is A Private University Right For Me
Students who enjoy a more close-knit community, smaller class sizes, and a more personalized academic experience may find what they need at one of the private universities in Illinois.
However, these schools usually feature higher tuition than public schools, making them an expensive option for students who do not receive significant scholarships, grants, or other financial support. Some students may not like the relative lack of diversity in many private institutions.
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Lincoln Park High School
MYP/ IB Diploma/ IB Careers ages 14-18 co-ed day state 2,100 students
Opened in 1875 as the first public high school on the north side of Chicago. Offering four programmes including the Fine Arts/Performing Arts school. They also offer the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and then the option of either the IB Diploma or the IB Careers Programme. Diverse student population.
How Much Do Chicago Private Schools Cost
The cost of private high schools in Chicago can vary widely. Some schools may cost as little as $5,000 per year, while others may cost as much as $30,000 per year. The average cost of a private school in Chicago is about $15,000 per year. This cost can be a difficult burden for families, but many feel that the education their children receive at a private school is worth the investment.
There is a range of private schools in Chicago, each with its own unique cost. That said, private schools in Chicago typically cost more than public schools. For example, the average tuition for a private elementary school in Chicago is $15,515, while the average tuition for a public elementary school is $6,200. The average tuition for a private high school in Chicago is $21,915, while the average tuition for a public high school is $12,050. Private schools in Chicago typically offer smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, and a more rigorous curriculum. They also often have higher rates of college acceptance than public schools.
The cost of private schools in Chicago varies depending on the school. Some private schools can cost up to $40,000 per year, while others may only be a few thousand dollars. Private schools in Chicago usually offer a smaller class size, more individual attention, and a higher quality education than public schools.
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Why Independent Schools Are Among The Best Private Schools In Chicago
Engaged students and inspired teachers are a positive combination. At Chicago City Day School, success comes from independence.
Theres a certain magic in the hallways and classrooms of a school where students are engaged and teachers feel fulfilled. On the surface, every school, public and private, aspires to this ideal but its the independent school that can achieve it most consistently. While there are many choices for families, independent schools are among the best schools in Chicago.
But what is an independent school, exactly?
Generally, an independent school is a non-profit school that does not receive government funding and has no affiliation with any larger entity explains Chris Dow, head of school at Chicago City Day School, an independent JK-8 school on Chicagos North Side.
At City Day, what that means is that we are a mission-driven institution. Every decision made by our administration, our board of trustees and our teachers supports the schools unique mission statement and philosophy. Our parents appreciate the fact that no matter what might be happening in the world, the commitment to our mission does not change.
While not strictly a requirement, most independent schools are accredited by one or more bodies, such as the Independent Schools Association of the Central States . Accreditation groups support independent schools to establish and maintain quality standards for students. City Day has earned accreditation by ISACS.
Francis W Parker School Chicago
American curriculum/ AP ages 4-18 co-ed day independent private non-profit 935 students
Founded in 1901 as a progressive school, based on the philosophies of John Dewey and Francis Wayland Parker. Low student teacher ratio 9:1 and almost every graduate proceeds to a four year university course with the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Brown and Washington University in St Louis currently topping the popularity polls. A member of the Independent School League .
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Final Thoughts Of The Best High School In Chicago
Weve loved watching them grow and learn, and we cant wait to see all the great things theyll do in the future. We want to say a big thank you to all of our families, staff, and supporters. We couldnt do what we do without you. Were already looking forward to next year and all.
Its hard to believe that another school year is coming to an end. As our students get ready to head off to college, we wanted to take a moment to share our final thoughts on Private High School Chicago. Were so proud of all that our students have accomplished this year and we know that theyre ready to take on the world. Weve loved watching them grow and learn, and we cant wait to see all the great things theyll do in the future. We want to say a big thank you to all of our families, staff, and supporters. Were already looking forward to next year and all
As the school year comes to an end, the teachers, staff, and students of Private High School Chicago want to say a final thank you and goodbye to the graduating seniors. We have had an amazing year and we are so sad to see our seniors go. We want to thank them for their commitment to their education and for being such great role models for the younger students. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.