Is private school cheaper in Richmond or Rockford?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $3,600/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,200/year in Richmond, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Richmond vs Rockford

Rockford averages $3,600/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Richmond	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,500/yr	$10,900/yr	+$3,600
Religious Schools	$9,200/yr	$6,900/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$25,100/yr	+$1,900
Elementary (K-5)	$11,800/yr	$9,300/yr	+$2,500
Middle School (6-8)	$14,500/yr	$10,900/yr	+$3,600
High School (9-12)	$18,000/yr	$13,100/yr	+$4,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Richmond

$188,500

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Rockford saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

Sample Schools

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

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 Richmond breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

Virginia 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.