Is private school cheaper in Fayetteville or Rockford?

Fayetteville has lower average private school tuition at $9,000/year vs $10,900/year in Rockford. That's $1,900/year less, or $24,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fayetteville is $1,900/year less than Rockford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $24,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Fayetteville, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fayetteville averages $9,000/year ($3,350 below average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Fayetteville vs Rockford

Fayetteville averages $1,900/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $24,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Fayetteville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,000/year vs $10,900/year in Rockford. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Fayetteville

$9,000

avg tuition/year

$3,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fayetteville	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,000/yr	$10,900/yr	-$1,900
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$6,900/yr	-$600
Independent/Prep	$18,900/yr	$25,100/yr	-$6,200
Elementary (K-5)	$7,700/yr	$9,300/yr	-$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$9,000/yr	$10,900/yr	-$1,900
High School (9-12)	$10,800/yr	$13,100/yr	-$2,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fayetteville

$117,000

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Fayetteville saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.

Sample Schools

Fayetteville

Cape Fear Academy (Wilmington)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Fayetteville Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/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 Fayetteville breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

North Carolina 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.