Is private school cheaper in Fort Lauderdale or Rockford?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $11,700/year in Fort Lauderdale. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $800/year less than Fort Lauderdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Fort Lauderdale vs Rockford

Rockford averages $800/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $11,700/year in Fort Lauderdale. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fort Lauderdale	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$10,900/yr	+$800
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$6,900/yr	+$1,200
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$25,100/yr	-$1,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$9,300/yr	+$600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$10,900/yr	+$800
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$13,100/yr	+$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Rockford saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.

Sample Schools

Fort Lauderdale

Pine Crest School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School (Ft. Laud.)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Westminster Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,400/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 Fort Lauderdale breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

Florida 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.