Is private school cheaper in Cleveland or Rockford?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $300/year less than Cleveland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Cleveland, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Cleveland vs Rockford

Rockford averages $300/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cleveland	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$10,900/yr	+$300
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$6,900/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$25,100/yr	-$4,100
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$9,300/yr	-$100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$10,900/yr	+$300
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$13,100/yr	+$700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cleveland

$145,600

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Rockford saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Cleveland

University School (Cleveland)

Independent · JK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Laurel School (Cleveland)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Edward High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/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 Cleveland breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

Ohio 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.