Is private school cheaper in Athens or Rockford?

Athens has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $10,900/year in Rockford. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Athens over Rockford?

Average tuition in Athens is $800/year less than Rockford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Athens, $6,900/year in Rockford.

How do Athens and Rockford private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Athens averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Athens vs Rockford

Athens averages $800/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Athens is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $10,900/year in Rockford. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Athens

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Athens	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$10,900/yr	-$800
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$6,900/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$20,500/yr	$25,100/yr	-$4,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$9,300/yr	-$700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$10,900/yr	-$800
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$13,100/yr	-$1,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Athens

$131,300

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Athens saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.

Sample Schools

Athens

Athens Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Prince Avenue Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Rockford

Keith Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $11,200-$14,400/yr

Boylan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Full Athens breakdown → Full Rockford 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.