Is private school cheaper in Rockford or Tuscaloosa?

Tuscaloosa has lower average private school tuition at $7,300/year vs $10,900/year in Rockford. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tuscaloosa is $3,600/year less than Rockford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Rockford, $5,400/year in Tuscaloosa.

How do Rockford and Tuscaloosa 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). Tuscaloosa averages $7,300/year ($5,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Rockford vs Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa averages $3,600/year less for private school (49% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Tuscaloosa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,300/year vs $10,900/year in Rockford. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Tuscaloosa

$7,300

avg tuition/year

$5,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rockford	Tuscaloosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,900/yr	$7,300/yr	+$3,600
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$5,400/yr	+$1,500
Independent/Prep	$25,100/yr	$14,800/yr	+$10,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,300/yr	$6,200/yr	+$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$10,900/yr	$7,300/yr	+$3,600
High School (9-12)	$13,100/yr	$8,800/yr	+$4,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rockford

$141,700

Tuscaloosa

$94,900

Choosing Tuscaloosa saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

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

Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

Christian Academy of Tuscaloosa

Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,400/yr

Full Rockford breakdown → Full Tuscaloosa breakdown →

Illinois private school costs Alabama 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.