Is private school cheaper in Madison or Rockford?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $10,900/year in Rockford. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Madison is $1,600/year less than Rockford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Madison, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Madison vs Rockford

Madison averages $1,600/year less for private school (17% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Madison	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,300/yr	$10,900/yr	-$1,600
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$6,900/yr	-$600
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$25,100/yr	-$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$7,900/yr	$9,300/yr	-$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$9,300/yr	$10,900/yr	-$1,600
High School (9-12)	$11,200/yr	$13,100/yr	-$1,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Madison

$120,900

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Madison saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

Sample Schools

Madison

Edgewood Campus School

Catholic · PK–8 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/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 Madison breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

Wisconsin 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.