Is private school cheaper in Lowell or Rockford?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $12,700/year less, or $165,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $12,700/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $165,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,800/year in Lowell, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Lowell vs Rockford

Rockford averages $12,700/year less for private school (117% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $165,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lowell	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$23,600/yr	$10,900/yr	+$12,700
Religious Schools	$12,800/yr	$6,900/yr	+$5,900
Independent/Prep	$48,100/yr	$25,100/yr	+$23,000
Elementary (K-5)	$20,100/yr	$9,300/yr	+$10,800
Middle School (6-8)	$23,600/yr	$10,900/yr	+$12,700
High School (9-12)	$28,300/yr	$13,100/yr	+$15,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lowell

$306,800

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Rockford saves $165,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $330,200.

Sample Schools

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/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 Lowell breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.