Is private school cheaper in Boston or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. That's $25,600/year less, or $332,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Milwaukee over Boston?

Average tuition in Milwaukee is $25,600/year less than Boston. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $332,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $18,500/year in Boston, $7,400/year in Milwaukee.

How do Boston and Milwaukee private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boston averages $36,800/year ($24,450 above average). Milwaukee averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Boston vs Milwaukee

Milwaukee averages $25,600/year less for private school (229% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $332,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Milwaukee is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Boston

$36,800

avg tuition/year

$24,450 above national avg

Milwaukee

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boston	Milwaukee	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$36,800/yr	$11,200/yr	+$25,600
Religious Schools	$18,500/yr	$7,400/yr	+$11,100
Independent/Prep	$56,000/yr	$21,000/yr	+$35,000
Elementary (K-5)	$30,000/yr	$9,200/yr	+$20,800
Middle School (6-8)	$36,800/yr	$11,200/yr	+$25,600
High School (9-12)	$46,000/yr	$13,800/yr	+$32,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boston

$478,400

Milwaukee

$145,600

Choosing Milwaukee saves $332,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $665,600.

Sample Schools

Boston

Boston Latin School (Exam)

Exam School (Public) · 7–12

Roxbury Latin School

Independent (need-based) · 7–12

Belmont Hill School

Independent · 7–12 · $59,800/yr

Boston College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $23,100/yr

Milwaukee

University School of Milwaukee

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Milwaukee University School

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Marquette University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Boston breakdown → Full Milwaukee breakdown →

Massachusetts private school costs Wisconsin private school costs

Related Comparisons

New York vs Boston → Chicago vs Milwaukee → Boston vs Phoenix → Boston vs Philadelphia →

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.