Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Rockford?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $4,300/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boulder averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Rockford

Rockford averages $4,300/year less for private school (39% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$10,900/yr	+$4,300
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$6,900/yr	+$3,000
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$25,100/yr	+$4,800
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$9,300/yr	+$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$10,900/yr	+$4,300
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$13,100/yr	+$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Rockford saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/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 Boulder breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

Colorado private school costs Illinois private school costs

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.