Is private school cheaper in Rockford or Springfield?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $11,600/year less, or $150,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $11,600/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $150,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Rockford, $12,200/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 $22,500/year ($10,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Rockford vs Springfield

Rockford averages $11,600/year less for private school (106% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $150,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $22,500/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

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rockford	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,900/yr	$22,500/yr	-$11,600
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$12,200/yr	-$5,300
Independent/Prep	$25,100/yr	$45,800/yr	-$20,700
Elementary (K-5)	$9,300/yr	$19,100/yr	-$9,800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,900/yr	$22,500/yr	-$11,600
High School (9-12)	$13,100/yr	$27,000/yr	-$13,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rockford

$141,700

Springfield

$292,500

Choosing Rockford saves $150,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $301,600.

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

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Rockford breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Massachusetts 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.