For the 2026 school year, there are 1,627 private schools serving 251,698 students in Illinois (there are 4,391 public schools, serving 1,844,936 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 $10,982 for elementary schools and $15,754 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Illinois include Loyola Academy, The Avery Coonley School, and Lake Forest Academy.
The average acceptance rate is 84% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 34% and the student-teacher ratio is 13:1.
Overview
This State (IL)
US
# Schools
1,627 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
251,698 Students
5,699,317 Students
% Average Students of Color
34%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
18,883 Teachers
507,826 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
53%
55%
Average Class Size
17 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
11 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1258
(Out of 1600)
1233
Average ACT score
25
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$12,500
$14,878
Average Summer Program Cost
$949
$1,138
Average % on Financial Aid
34%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$3,903
$7,124
Average Acceptance Rate
84%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$49.13 million
$61.71 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.66
0.65
# American Indian Students
605 Students
29,886 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
10,494 Students
265,088 Students
% Asian Students
4%
5%
# Hispanic Students
25,127 Students
507,413 Students
% Hispanic Students
10%
9%
# Black Students
21,074 Students
416,690 Students
% Black Students
9%
7%
# White Students
129,091 Students
2,932,713 Students
% White Students
51%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
338 Students
20,067 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
65,330 Students
1,471,571 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, The Avery Coonley School, and Lake Forest Academy.
How many private schools are located in Illinois?
There are 1,627 private schools are located in Illinois.
How much do private schools cost in Illinois?
The average private school tuition in Illinois is $10,982 for elementary schools and $15,754 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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