Is private school cheaper in Rockford or San Jose?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $14,300/year less, or $185,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $14,300/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $185,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Rockford, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Rockford and San Jose 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). San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Rockford vs San Jose

Rockford averages $14,300/year less for private school (131% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $185,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rockford	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,900/yr	$25,200/yr	-$14,300
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$13,800/yr	-$6,900
Independent/Prep	$25,100/yr	$40,500/yr	-$15,400
Elementary (K-5)	$9,300/yr	$20,500/yr	-$11,200
Middle School (6-8)	$10,900/yr	$25,200/yr	-$14,300
High School (9-12)	$13,100/yr	$31,200/yr	-$18,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rockford

$141,700

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Rockford saves $185,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $371,800.

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

San Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/yr

Full Rockford breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Illinois private school costs California private school costs

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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.