Is private school cheaper in Lincoln or Rochester?

Lincoln has lower average private school tuition at $7,200/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. That's $10,900/year less, or $141,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Lincoln over Rochester?

Average tuition in Lincoln is $10,900/year less than Rochester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $141,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Lincoln, $10,400/year in Rochester.

How do Lincoln and Rochester private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average). Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Lincoln vs Rochester

Lincoln averages $10,900/year less for private school (151% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $141,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lincoln	Rochester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,200/yr	$18,100/yr	-$10,900
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$10,400/yr	-$5,400
Independent/Prep	$15,600/yr	$38,500/yr	-$22,900
Elementary (K-5)	$6,100/yr	$15,400/yr	-$9,300
Middle School (6-8)	$7,200/yr	$18,100/yr	-$10,900
High School (9-12)	$8,600/yr	$21,700/yr	-$13,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lincoln

$93,600

Rochester

$235,300

Choosing Lincoln saves $141,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $283,400.

Sample Schools

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Lincoln breakdown → Full Rochester breakdown →

Nebraska private school costs New York 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.