Is private school cheaper in Rochester or Rockford?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. That's $7,200/year less, or $93,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $7,200/year less than Rochester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $93,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Rochester, $6,900/year in Rockford.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Rochester averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average). Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Rochester vs Rockford

Rockford averages $7,200/year less for private school (66% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $93,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rochester	Rockford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$10,900/yr	+$7,200
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$6,900/yr	+$3,500
Independent/Prep	$38,500/yr	$25,100/yr	+$13,400
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$9,300/yr	+$6,100
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$10,900/yr	+$7,200
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$13,100/yr	+$8,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rochester

$235,300

Rockford

$141,700

Choosing Rockford saves $93,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $187,200.

Sample Schools

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/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 Rochester breakdown → Full Rockford breakdown →

New York 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.