Is private school cheaper in Rochester or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. That's $10,400/year less, or $135,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $10,400/year less than Rochester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $135,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,400/year in Rochester, $5,500/year in Springfield.

How do Rochester and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $7,700/year ($4,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Rochester vs Springfield

Springfield averages $10,400/year less for private school (135% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $135,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $18,100/year in Rochester. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Rochester

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Springfield

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rochester	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,100/yr	$7,700/yr	+$10,400
Religious Schools	$10,400/yr	$5,500/yr	+$4,900
Independent/Prep	$38,500/yr	$18,000/yr	+$20,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,400/yr	$6,500/yr	+$8,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,100/yr	$7,700/yr	+$10,400
High School (9-12)	$21,700/yr	$9,200/yr	+$12,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rochester

$235,300

Springfield

$100,100

Choosing Springfield saves $135,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $270,400.

Sample Schools

Rochester

McQuaid Jesuit High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Allendale Columbia School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Springfield

Greenwood Laboratory School (Springfield MO)

Independent · PK–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

St. Agnes Cathedral School

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Full Rochester breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

New York private school costs Missouri 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.