Is private school cheaper in Naperville or Rockford?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. That's $2,900/year less, or $37,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $2,900/year less than Naperville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $37,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Naperville, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Naperville averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Naperville vs Rockford

Rockford averages $2,900/year less for private school (27% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $37,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Naperville	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,800/yr	$10,900/yr	+$2,900
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$6,900/yr	+$1,800
Independent/Prep	$31,900/yr	$25,100/yr	+$6,800
Elementary (K-5)	$11,700/yr	$9,300/yr	+$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$13,800/yr	$10,900/yr	+$2,900
High School (9-12)	$16,600/yr	$13,100/yr	+$3,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Naperville

$179,400

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Rockford saves $37,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $75,400.

Sample Schools

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/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 Naperville breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

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.