Is private school cheaper in Rockford or Springfield?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $11,100/year in Springfield. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $200/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Rockford, $7,000/year in Springfield.

How do Rockford and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $11,100/year ($1,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Rockford vs Springfield

Rockford averages $200/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $11,100/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$11,100

avg tuition/year

$1,250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rockford	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,900/yr	$11,100/yr	-$200
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$7,000/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$25,100/yr	$25,700/yr	-$600
Elementary (K-5)	$9,300/yr	$9,400/yr	-$100
Middle School (6-8)	$10,900/yr	$11,100/yr	-$200
High School (9-12)	$13,100/yr	$13,300/yr	-$200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rockford

$141,700

Springfield

$144,300

Choosing Rockford saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

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

Springfield

Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Springfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Full Rockford breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

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.