Is private school cheaper in Rockford or Santa Rosa?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. That's $6,700/year less, or $87,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $6,700/year less than Santa Rosa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $87,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Rockford, $11,400/year in Santa Rosa.

How do Rockford and Santa Rosa 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). Santa Rosa averages $17,600/year ($5,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Rockford vs Santa Rosa

Rockford averages $6,700/year less for private school (61% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $87,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Santa Rosa

$17,600

avg tuition/year

$5,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rockford	Santa Rosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,900/yr	$17,600/yr	-$6,700
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$11,400/yr	-$4,500
Independent/Prep	$25,100/yr	$34,200/yr	-$9,100
Elementary (K-5)	$9,300/yr	$15,000/yr	-$5,700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,900/yr	$17,600/yr	-$6,700
High School (9-12)	$13,100/yr	$21,100/yr	-$8,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rockford

$141,700

Santa Rosa

$228,800

Choosing Rockford saves $87,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $174,200.

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

Santa Rosa

Cardinal Newman High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Rincon Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Full Rockford breakdown → Full Santa Rosa breakdown →

Illinois private school costs California 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.