Is private school cheaper in Peoria or Rockford?

Peoria has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $10,900/year in Rockford. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Peoria is $1,200/year less than Rockford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,300/year in Peoria, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Peoria averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Peoria vs Rockford

Peoria averages $1,200/year less for private school (12% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Peoria is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $10,900/year in Rockford. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Peoria

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Peoria	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,700/yr	$10,900/yr	-$1,200
Religious Schools	$7,300/yr	$6,900/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$18,500/yr	$25,100/yr	-$6,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$9,300/yr	-$1,100
Middle School (6-8)	$9,700/yr	$10,900/yr	-$1,200
High School (9-12)	$11,600/yr	$13,100/yr	-$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Peoria

$126,100

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Peoria saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

Sample Schools

Peoria

Sandra Day O'Connor Prep (Peoria)

Independent · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Deer Valley Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/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 Peoria breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

Arizona 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.