Is private school cheaper in Phoenix or Rockford?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. That's $2,500/year less, or $32,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $2,500/year less than Phoenix. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $32,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in Phoenix, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Phoenix vs Rockford

Rockford averages $2,500/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $32,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Phoenix	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$10,900/yr	+$2,500
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$6,900/yr	+$1,700
Independent/Prep	$24,500/yr	$25,100/yr	-$600
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$9,300/yr	+$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$10,900/yr	+$2,500
High School (9-12)	$16,500/yr	$13,100/yr	+$3,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Phoenix

$174,200

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Rockford saves $32,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $65,000.

Sample Schools

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/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 Phoenix breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

Arizona private school costs Illinois private school costs

Related Comparisons

Denver vs Phoenix → San Francisco vs Phoenix → Boston vs Phoenix → Los Angeles vs Phoenix →

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.