Is private school cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Elgin?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $4,900/year less, or $63,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $4,900/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $63,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids, $7,400/year in Elgin.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average). Elgin averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Cedar Rapids vs Elgin

Cedar Rapids averages $4,900/year less for private school (72% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $63,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cedar Rapids	Elgin	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,800/yr	$11,700/yr	-$4,900
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$7,400/yr	-$2,600
Independent/Prep	$14,300/yr	$27,100/yr	-$12,800
Elementary (K-5)	$5,800/yr	$9,900/yr	-$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$6,800/yr	$11,700/yr	-$4,900
High School (9-12)	$8,200/yr	$14,000/yr	-$5,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Elgin

$152,100

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $63,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $127,400.

Sample Schools

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

Elgin

Timothy Christian Schools (Elgin)

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$13,800/yr

St. Edward Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Cedar Rapids breakdown → Full Elgin breakdown →

Iowa 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.