Private School Cost: Boulder vs Madison
Madison averages $5,900/year less for private school (63% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $76,700 per child.
Bottom Line
Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.
Boulder
CO
$15,200
avg tuition/year
Madison
WI
$9,300
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Boulder | Madison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $15,200/yr | $9,300/yr | +$5,900 |
| Religious Schools | $9,900/yr | $6,300/yr | +$3,600 |
| Independent/Prep | $29,900/yr | $21,100/yr | +$8,800 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $12,900/yr | $7,900/yr | +$5,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $15,200/yr | $9,300/yr | +$5,900 |
| High School (9-12) | $18,200/yr | $11,200/yr | +$7,000 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Boulder
$197,600
Madison
$120,900
Choosing Madison saves $76,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $153,400.
Sample Schools
Boulder
Naropa University Lab School
Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr
Dawson School
Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/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
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.