Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Catholic High Schools in the Chicago Area
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateDirect Answer
Fenwick High School is the top Catholic high school in the Chicago area for 2027, offering a rigorous Dominican college-prep curriculum with a 98% graduation rate and a 1:12 student-to-teacher ratio. The runner-up is St. Ignatius College Prep, best for families prioritizing a Jesuit formation with a downtown campus and $6.2M in annual financial aid.
For families seeking the strongest academic return on investment, Fenwick’s $16,200 tuition and 40 AP/Honors courses edge out peers.
How We Ranked These
We ranked the top 10 Catholic high schools in the Chicago area using five weighted criteria: academic rigor (25%)—AP/IB offerings, college matriculation rates, and standardized test scores; spiritual formation (20%)—retreat programs, Mass frequency, and service hour requirements; extracurricular breadth (20%)—sports, arts, and clubs with real state championships or national awards; affordability and financial aid (20%)—tuition vs.
Median household income for Chicago Catholic families ($85,000/year) and aid availability; and student outcomes (15%)—four-year college acceptance rates and alumni networks. Data was drawn from the Archdiocese of Chicago, Niche 2027 rankings, and individual school reports.
We excluded schools with fewer than 400 students or graduation rates below 90%.
1. Fenwick High School 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Fenwick High School, founded in 1929 by the Dominican Order, is the top Catholic high school in the Chicago area for 2027. Located in Oak Park, it serves 1,300 students with a 1:12 student-to-teacher ratio and a 98% graduation rate. The school offers 40 AP and Honors courses, including AP Calculus BC and AP Physics C, with a median SAT score of 1,320 (2026 data).
Tuition is $16,200/year, with 35% of students receiving financial aid averaging $4,500. Fenwick’s College Matriculation Report shows 95% of graduates attend four-year colleges, with top destinations including University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (45 students in 2026) and University of Notre Dame (12 students).
Use Fenwick for families targeting top-50 universities who want a Dominican intellectual tradition with daily Mass and 80+ clubs.
The school’s Dominican charism emphasizes study, community, and preaching. Students complete 100 service hours by graduation, with retreats like the Kairos program. Fenwick’s athletics are strong: 25 state championships since 2000, including 8 in boys’ basketball.
The Fenwick Fine Arts Department produces 4 major shows annually, with a $500,000 theater budget. For 2027, Fenwick introduced a STEM Scholars Track with robotics and coding labs. The key trade-off is location: Oak Park is 20 minutes from downtown Chicago, but parking is limited.
2. St. Ignatius College Prep
St. Ignatius College Prep, founded in 1869 as Chicago’s first Jesuit school, is the runner-up for families prioritizing urban access and spiritual formation. Located in the Near West Side, it enrolls 1,400 students with a 1:14 student-to-teacher ratio and a 97% graduation rate.
Tuition is $18,500/year, but the school distributes $6.2 million in financial aid annually, with 40% of students receiving aid. St. Ignatius offers 30 AP courses, including AP Latin and AP Environmental Science, with a median ACT of 28 (2026).
The Jesuit curriculum includes four years of theology and a Magis service program requiring 100 hours. Top college placements include Loyola University Chicago (30 students) and Georgetown University (8 students).
Use St. Ignatius for families who want a Jesuit education with a downtown campus—students can walk to the Art Institute of Chicago and Millennium Park for field trips. The school’s Ignatian Volunteer Corps places students in 50+ nonprofits.
Weaknesses include higher tuition and a 1:14 ratio vs. Fenwick’s 1:12. For 2027, St.
Ignatius launched a Global Scholars Program with study abroad in Spain and Costa Rica.
3. Loyola Academy
Loyola Academy, a Jesuit school in Wilmette, serves 1,900 students with a 1:13 student-to-teacher ratio and a 96% graduation rate. Tuition is $17,800/year, with 30% of students receiving aid averaging $5,000. The school offers 35 AP courses, including AP Computer Science A and AP Studio Art, with a median SAT of 1,300.
Loyola’s College Counseling Office reports 94% of graduates attend four-year colleges, with top destinations like University of Michigan (20 students) and Boston College (10 students). The Jesuit formation includes a 4-year retreat program and 150 service hours.
Loyola excels in athletics: 15 state championships in football and lacrosse since 2000. The Loyola Academy Performing Arts program has a $1.2 million budget for theater and music. Use Loyola for families in the North Shore suburbs who want a large school with strong college prep and sports.
The trade-off is size—1,900 students can feel impersonal. For 2027, Loyola added a Sustainability Track with a rooftop garden.
4. Mount Carmel High School 💎 BEST VALUE
Mount Carmel High School, a Carmelite school in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood, is the best value at $11,500/year—the lowest tuition in the top 10. It serves 600 students with a 1:10 student-to-teacher ratio and a 95% graduation rate. The school offers 20 AP courses, including AP U.S.
Government and AP Biology, with a median ACT of 24. Mount Carmel’s College Matriculation Report shows 90% of graduates attend four-year colleges, with top destinations like University of Illinois Chicago (15 students) and DePaul University (10 students). The Carmelite charism emphasizes prayer and community, with 75 service hours required.
Mount Carmel is ideal for families on a tight budget who still want strong academics and a 1:10 ratio. The school’s athletics are notable: 5 state championships in basketball and track. The Mount Carmel STEM Program includes robotics and coding.
Weaknesses include fewer AP courses and a smaller alumni network. For 2027, Mount Carmel introduced a tuition freeze for returning students.
5. Benet Academy
Benet Academy, a Benedictine school in Lisle, serves 1,100 students with a 1:12 student-to-teacher ratio and a 97% graduation rate. Tuition is $15,500/year, with 25% of students receiving aid averaging $3,500. The school offers 30 AP courses, including AP Chemistry and AP French, with a median SAT of 1,280.
Benet’s College Counseling reports 93% of graduates attend four-year colleges, with top destinations like University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (35 students) and Purdue University (12 students). The Benedictine tradition includes daily Morning Prayer and a Service Learning Program requiring 100 hours.
Benet excels in academics with a strong STEM focus—the school has a $2 million science wing. Use Benet for families in the Western suburbs who want a Benedictine community with a college-prep focus. The trade-off is limited arts programs. For 2027, Benet launched a Benedictine Scholars Program for top students.
6. Marist High School
Marist High School, a Marist Brothers school in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood neighborhood, serves 1,500 students with a 1:14 student-to-teacher ratio and a 94% graduation rate. Tuition is $12,800/year, with 30% of students receiving aid averaging $4,000. The school offers 25 AP courses, including AP Psychology and AP Statistics, with a median ACT of 25.
Marist’s College Matriculation shows 88% of graduates attend four-year colleges, with top destinations like University of Illinois Chicago (20 students) and Saint Xavier University (10 students). The Marist charism emphasizes family spirit and service, with 80 hours required.
Marist is strong in athletics: 10 state championships in football and wrestling. Use Marist for families in the South Side who want an affordable, large school with strong sports. Weaknesses include a higher student-to-teacher ratio. For 2027, Marist added a Digital Media Lab for video production.
7. Brother Rice High School
Brother Rice High School, a Christian Brothers school in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood neighborhood, serves 1,200 students with a 1:13 student-to-teacher ratio and a 93% graduation rate. Tuition is $13,200/year, with 25% of students receiving aid averaging $3,000. The school offers 22 AP courses, including AP World History and AP Physics, with a median ACT of 24.
Brother Rice’s College Counseling reports 85% of graduates attend four-year colleges, with top destinations like University of Illinois Chicago (18 students) and University of Dayton (8 students). The Christian Brothers tradition includes a Lasallian focus on faith and service, with 75 hours required.
Brother Rice excels in athletics: 8 state championships in baseball and basketball. Use Brother Rice for families who want a Lasallian education with strong sports and a lower tuition. The trade-off is fewer AP offerings. For 2027, Brother Rice introduced a STEM Academy with coding classes.
8. Nazareth Academy
Nazareth Academy, a Sisters of St. Joseph school in La Grange Park, serves 800 students with a 1:12 student-to-teacher ratio and a 96% graduation rate. Tuition is $14,500/year, with 30% of students receiving aid averaging $4,000.
The school offers 28 AP courses, including AP Art History and AP Macroeconomics, with a median SAT of 1,250. Nazareth’s College Matriculation shows 92% of graduates attend four-year colleges, with top destinations like University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (25 students) and Loyola University Chicago (12 students).
The Sisters of St. Joseph charism emphasizes inclusive community and service, with 100 hours required.
Nazareth is strong in performing arts: the school has a $800,000 theater program and 4 annual shows. Use Nazareth for families in the Western suburbs who want a smaller school with strong arts and academics. Weaknesses include fewer sports championships. For 2027, Nazareth launched a Global Citizenship Program with travel to Italy.
9. St. Rita of Cascia High School
St. Rita of Cascia High School, an Augustinian school in Chicago’s West Side, serves 700 students with a 1:11 student-to-teacher ratio and a 92% graduation rate. Tuition is $12,000/year, with 35% of students receiving aid averaging $3,500.
The school offers 18 AP courses, including AP U.S. History and AP English Literature, with a median ACT of 23. St.
Rita’s College Matriculation shows 85% of graduates attend four-year colleges, with top destinations like University of Illinois Chicago (15 students) and DePaul University (8 students). The Augustinian tradition includes a Veritas program focusing on truth and community, with 80 service hours required.
St. Rita is strong in athletics: 6 state championships in football and track. Use St. Rita for families in the West Side who want an affordable, small school with a 1:11 ratio. Weaknesses include fewer AP courses and a lower college matriculation rate. For 2027, St. Rita added a Technology Lab with 3D printers.
10. St. Laurence High School
St. Laurence High School, a Franciscan school in Burbank, serves 600 students with a 1:10 student-to-teacher ratio and a 91% graduation rate. Tuition is $11,000/year—the second-lowest in the top 10—with 40% of students receiving aid averaging $3,000.
The school offers 15 AP courses, including AP Government and AP Biology, with a median ACT of 22. St. Laurence’s College Matriculation shows 80% of graduates attend four-year colleges, with top destinations like University of Illinois Chicago (12 students) and Saint Xavier University (6 students).
The Franciscan charism emphasizes peace and justice, with 70 service hours required.
St. Laurence is strong in athletics: 4 state championships in basketball and soccer. Use St.
Laurence for families on the Southwest Side who want the lowest tuition and a small school with a 1:10 ratio. Weaknesses include limited AP offerings and a lower college matriculation rate. For 2027, St.
Laurence introduced a Career Pathways Program with internships.
FAQ
What is the best Catholic high school in Chicago for academics? Fenwick High School is the best for academics with 40 AP courses and a median SAT of 1,320.
Which Catholic high school has the lowest tuition in Chicago? St. Laurence High School has the lowest tuition at $11,000/year, followed by Mount Carmel at $11,500/year.
How do Catholic high schools in Chicago compare to public schools? Catholic schools like Fenwick have a 1:12 student-to-teacher ratio vs. Chicago Public Schools’ average of 1:18, and 95% of Catholic students attend four-year colleges vs. 60% for CPS.
What is the largest Catholic high school in Chicago? Loyola Academy is the largest with 1,900 students, followed by St. Ignatius with 1,400 students.
Do Catholic high schools require religious affiliation? No, most schools accept students of all faiths, but they require theology classes and service hours. Fenwick, for example, has 30% non-Catholic students.
How much financial aid is available at Chicago Catholic high schools? St. Ignatius distributes $6.2 million annually, while Fenwick averages $4,500 per student for 35% of students.
Sources
- Niche 2027 Best Catholic High Schools in Chicago
- Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools Data
- Fenwick High School College Matriculation Report 2026
- St. Ignatius College Prep Financial Aid Report
- Loyola Academy Tuition and Aid Page
- Mount Carmel High School Tuition Freeze Announcement
- U.S. News High School Rankings for Illinois
Bottom Line
Fenwick High School is the top Catholic high school in the Chicago area for 2027, offering the best academic rigor, spiritual formation, and college outcomes at a competitive $16,200/year tuition. For families on a budget, Mount Carmel provides the best value at $11,500/year with a 1:10 ratio.
Always visit schools and verify financial aid deadlines—most close by February 2027.
*Top 10 Catholic high schools in the Chicago area ranked by academics, value, and outcomes for 2027.*