Is private school cheaper in Cincinnati or Rockford?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. That's $900/year less, or $11,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $900/year less than Cincinnati. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $11,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Cincinnati, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cincinnati averages $11,800/year ($550 below average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Cincinnati vs Rockford

Rockford averages $900/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $11,800/year in Cincinnati. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Cincinnati

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cincinnati	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,800/yr	$10,900/yr	+$900
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$6,900/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$22,000/yr	$25,100/yr	-$3,100
Elementary (K-5)	$9,600/yr	$9,300/yr	+$300
Middle School (6-8)	$11,800/yr	$10,900/yr	+$900
High School (9-12)	$14,600/yr	$13,100/yr	+$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cincinnati

$153,400

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Rockford saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.

Sample Schools

Cincinnati

Cincinnati Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,400-$26,800/yr

Seven Hills School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Moeller High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Elder High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/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 Cincinnati breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Illinois private school costs

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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.