Is private school cheaper in Newark or Rockford?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $19,300/year in Newark. That's $8,400/year less, or $109,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $8,400/year less than Newark. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $109,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in Newark, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Newark averages $19,300/year ($6,950 above average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Newark vs Rockford

Rockford averages $8,400/year less for private school (77% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $109,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $19,300/year in Newark. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Newark

$19,300

avg tuition/year

$6,950 above national avg

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Newark	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,300/yr	$10,900/yr	+$8,400
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$6,900/yr	+$5,500
Independent/Prep	$41,200/yr	$25,100/yr	+$16,100
Elementary (K-5)	$16,400/yr	$9,300/yr	+$7,100
Middle School (6-8)	$19,300/yr	$10,900/yr	+$8,400
High School (9-12)	$23,200/yr	$13,100/yr	+$10,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Newark

$250,900

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Rockford saves $109,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $218,400.

Sample Schools

Newark

Seton Hall Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Newark Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/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 Newark breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

New Jersey 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.