Is private school cheaper in Boise or Rockford?

Boise has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $10,900/year in Rockford. That's $2,900/year less, or $37,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Boise is $2,900/year less than Rockford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $37,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,500/year in Boise, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boise averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Boise vs Rockford

Boise averages $2,900/year less for private school (36% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $37,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Boise is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $10,900/year in Rockford. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boise	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$10,900/yr	-$2,900
Religious Schools	$5,500/yr	$6,900/yr	-$1,400
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$25,100/yr	-$9,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$9,300/yr	-$2,500
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$10,900/yr	-$2,900
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$13,100/yr	-$3,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boise

$104,000

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Boise saves $37,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $75,400.

Sample Schools

Boise

The Ambrose School (Boise)

Christian Classical · PK–12 · $12,200-$14,800/yr

Boise Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/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 Boise 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.