Is private school cheaper in Cedar Rapids or Santa Rosa?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. That's $10,800/year less, or $140,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $10,800/year less than Santa Rosa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $140,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids, $11,400/year in Santa Rosa.

How do Cedar Rapids and Santa Rosa 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). Santa Rosa averages $17,600/year ($5,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Cedar Rapids vs Santa Rosa

Cedar Rapids averages $10,800/year less for private school (159% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $140,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Santa Rosa

$17,600

avg tuition/year

$5,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cedar Rapids	Santa Rosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,800/yr	$17,600/yr	-$10,800
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$11,400/yr	-$6,600
Independent/Prep	$14,300/yr	$34,200/yr	-$19,900
Elementary (K-5)	$5,800/yr	$15,000/yr	-$9,200
Middle School (6-8)	$6,800/yr	$17,600/yr	-$10,800
High School (9-12)	$8,200/yr	$21,100/yr	-$12,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Santa Rosa

$228,800

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $140,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $280,800.

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

Santa Rosa

Cardinal Newman High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Rincon Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Full Cedar Rapids breakdown → Full Santa Rosa 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.