Is private school cheaper in Indianapolis or Rockford?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $12,000/year in Indianapolis. That's $1,100/year less, or $14,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $1,100/year less than Indianapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $14,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Indianapolis, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

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

Private School Cost: Indianapolis vs Rockford

Rockford averages $1,100/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $14,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $12,000/year in Indianapolis. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Indianapolis

$12,000

avg tuition/year

$350 below national avg

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Indianapolis	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,000/yr	$10,900/yr	+$1,100
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$6,900/yr	+$900
Independent/Prep	$22,500/yr	$25,100/yr	-$2,600
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$9,300/yr	+$500
Middle School (6-8)	$12,000/yr	$10,900/yr	+$1,100
High School (9-12)	$14,800/yr	$13,100/yr	+$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Indianapolis

$156,000

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Rockford saves $14,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $28,600.

Sample Schools

Indianapolis

Park Tudor School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,200-$26,800/yr

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Bishop Chatard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Cathedral High School (Indianapolis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/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 Indianapolis breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

Indiana private school costs Illinois private school costs

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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.