Is private school cheaper in Rockford or Washington DC?

Rockford has lower average private school tuition at $10,900/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $17,500/year less, or $227,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rockford is $17,500/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $227,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Rockford, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Rockford and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Rockford vs Washington DC

Rockford averages $17,500/year less for private school (161% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $227,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Rockford is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,900/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Rockford

$10,900

avg tuition/year

$1,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Rockford	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,900/yr	$28,400/yr	-$17,500
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$15,200/yr	-$8,300
Independent/Prep	$25,100/yr	$46,000/yr	-$20,900
Elementary (K-5)	$9,300/yr	$23,000/yr	-$13,700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,900/yr	$28,400/yr	-$17,500
High School (9-12)	$13,100/yr	$35,500/yr	-$22,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Rockford

$141,700

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Rockford saves $227,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $455,000.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Rockford breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Illinois private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

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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.