Is private school cheaper in Erie or Rockford?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. That's $1,000/year less, or $13,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $1,000/year less than Erie. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $13,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

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

Private School Cost: Erie vs Rockford

Rockford averages $1,000/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $13,000 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$10,900/yr	+$1,000
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$6,900/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$25,100/yr	+$2,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$9,300/yr	+$800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$10,900/yr	+$1,000
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$13,100/yr	+$1,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Rockford saves $13,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $26,000.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–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 Erie breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

Pennsylvania 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.