Is private school cheaper in Allen or Cedar Rapids?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $12,600/year in Allen. That's $5,800/year less, or $75,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Cedar Rapids over Allen?

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $5,800/year less than Allen. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $75,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in Allen, $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids.

How do Allen and Cedar Rapids private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Allen averages $12,600/year ($250 above average). Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Allen vs Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids averages $5,800/year less for private school (85% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $75,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $12,600/year in Allen. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Allen

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Allen	Cedar Rapids	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,600/yr	$6,800/yr	+$5,800
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$4,800/yr	+$3,800
Independent/Prep	$26,600/yr	$14,300/yr	+$12,300
Elementary (K-5)	$10,700/yr	$5,800/yr	+$4,900
Middle School (6-8)	$12,600/yr	$6,800/yr	+$5,800
High School (9-12)	$15,100/yr	$8,200/yr	+$6,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Allen

$163,800

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $75,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $150,800.

Sample Schools

Allen

Allen Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,800/yr

Our Lady of Angels School (Allen)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Cedar Rapids

Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Cedar Rapids Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Allen breakdown → Full Cedar Rapids breakdown →

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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.