Is private school cheaper in Baltimore or Madison?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. That's $9,200/year less, or $119,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Madison over Baltimore?

Average tuition in Madison is $9,200/year less than Baltimore. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $119,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Baltimore, $6,300/year in Madison.

How do Baltimore and Madison private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Baltimore averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Baltimore vs Madison

Madison averages $9,200/year less for private school (99% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $119,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Baltimore

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baltimore	Madison	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$9,300/yr	+$9,200
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$6,300/yr	+$4,500
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$21,100/yr	+$12,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,200/yr	$7,900/yr	+$7,300
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$9,300/yr	+$9,200
High School (9-12)	$23,000/yr	$11,200/yr	+$11,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baltimore

$240,500

Madison

$120,900

Choosing Madison saves $119,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $239,200.

Sample Schools

Baltimore

Gilman School

Independent · K–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Roland Park Country School

Independent · K–12 · $36,800/yr

Calvert Hall College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

Loyola Blakefield

Catholic · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Madison

Edgewood Campus School

Catholic · PK–8 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Baltimore breakdown → Full Madison breakdown →

Maryland private school costs Wisconsin 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.