Is private school cheaper in Rockford or Trenton?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. That's $5,900/year less, or $76,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $5,900/year less than Trenton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $76,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Rockford, $10,800/year in Trenton.

How do Rockford and Trenton 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). Trenton averages $16,800/year ($4,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Rockford vs Trenton

Rockford averages $5,900/year less for private school (54% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $76,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Trenton

$16,800

avg tuition/year

$4,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rockford	Trenton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,900/yr	$16,800/yr	-$5,900
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$10,800/yr	-$3,900
Independent/Prep	$25,100/yr	$35,800/yr	-$10,700
Elementary (K-5)	$9,300/yr	$14,300/yr	-$5,000
Middle School (6-8)	$10,900/yr	$16,800/yr	-$5,900
High School (9-12)	$13,100/yr	$20,200/yr	-$7,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rockford

$141,700

Trenton

$218,400

Choosing Rockford saves $76,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $153,400.

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

Trenton

Notre Dame High School (Trenton NJ)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Trenton Catholic Academy

Catholic · K–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Rockford breakdown → Full Trenton breakdown →

Illinois private school costs New Jersey 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.