Is private school cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Rochester?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. That's $11,300/year less, or $146,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $11,300/year less than Rochester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $146,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids, $10,400/year in Rochester.

How do Cedar Rapids and Rochester 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). Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Cedar Rapids vs Rochester

Cedar Rapids averages $11,300/year less for private school (166% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $146,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cedar Rapids	Rochester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,800/yr	$18,100/yr	-$11,300
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$10,400/yr	-$5,600
Independent/Prep	$14,300/yr	$38,500/yr	-$24,200
Elementary (K-5)	$5,800/yr	$15,400/yr	-$9,600
Middle School (6-8)	$6,800/yr	$18,100/yr	-$11,300
High School (9-12)	$8,200/yr	$21,700/yr	-$13,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Rochester

$235,300

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $146,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $293,800.

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

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Cedar Rapids breakdown → Full Rochester breakdown →

Iowa private school costs New York 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.