For the 2026 school year, there are 1,630 private schools serving 252,112 students in Illinois (there are 4,391 public schools, serving 1,844,930 students). 12% of all K-12 students in Illinois attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $10,981 for elementary schools and $15,730 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Illinois include Loyola Academy, Lake Forest Academy, and Morgan Park Academy.
The average acceptance rate is 85% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 34% and the student-teacher ratio is 13:1.
Overview
This State (IL)
US
# Schools
1,630 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
252,112 Students
5,709,643 Students
% Average Students of Color
34%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
18,876 Teachers
508,006 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
52%
55%
Average Class Size
16 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
10 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1258
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
25
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$12,493
$14,892
Average Summer Program Cost
$949
$1,160
Average % on Financial Aid
34%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$3,872
$7,118
Average Acceptance Rate
85%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$49.13 million
$61.9 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.66
0.65
# American Indian Students
605 Students
30,180 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
10,504 Students
265,308 Students
% Asian Students
4%
5%
# Hispanic Students
25,130 Students
507,900 Students
% Hispanic Students
10%
9%
# Black Students
21,075 Students
417,206 Students
% Black Students
9%
7%
# White Students
129,117 Students
2,937,481 Students
% White Students
51%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
338 Students
22,254 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
65,533 Students
1,473,896 Students
% of Others Students
26%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
6 sports
7 sports
Top-Ranked Illinois Private Schools by County (2026)
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in Illinois?
The top-ranked private schools in Illinois include Loyola Academy, Lake Forest Academy, and Morgan Park Academy.
How many private schools are located in Illinois?
There are 1,630 private schools are located in Illinois.
How much do private schools cost in Illinois?
The average private school tuition in Illinois is $10,981 for elementary schools and $15,730 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Illinois?
Approximately 34% of students in Illinois private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Illinois go to private school?
12% of all K-12 students in Illinois attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Illinois?
Which private schools in Illinois are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Illinois include: Galesburg Christian School Assoc vs. Costa Catholic School, Costa Catholic School vs. Galesburg Christian School Assoc, Elmhurst KinderCare vs. Elmhurst Academy of Early Learning
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