Is private school cheaper in Rockford or Salem?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $1,500/year less than Salem. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Rockford, $8,400/year in Salem.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Rockford averages $10,900/year ($1,450 below average). Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average).

Private School Cost: Rockford vs Salem

Rockford averages $1,500/year less for private school (14% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rockford	Salem	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,900/yr	$12,400/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$8,400/yr	-$1,500
Independent/Prep	$25,100/yr	$25,000/yr	+$100
Elementary (K-5)	$9,300/yr	$10,500/yr	-$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$10,900/yr	$12,400/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$13,100/yr	$14,900/yr	-$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rockford

$141,700

Salem

$161,200

Choosing Rockford saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Rockford

Keith Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $11,200-$14,400/yr

Boylan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Rockford breakdown → Full Salem breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Oregon 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.