Is private school cheaper in Detroit or Rockford?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $11,500/year in Detroit. That's $600/year less, or $7,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $600/year less than Detroit. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $7,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Detroit, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Detroit averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Detroit vs Rockford

Rockford averages $600/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $7,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $11,500/year in Detroit. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Detroit

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Detroit	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$10,900/yr	+$600
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$6,900/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$25,100/yr	-$3,600
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$9,300/yr	+$100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$10,900/yr	+$600
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$13,100/yr	+$1,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Detroit

$149,500

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Rockford saves $7,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $15,600.

Sample Schools

Detroit

Cranbrook Kingswood School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,200-$36,800/yr

University of Detroit Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Brother Rice High School (Detroit)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Mercy High School (Farmington Hills)

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 Detroit breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

Michigan 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.