Is private school cheaper in Cary or Madison?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Madison is $2,200/year less than Cary. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Cary, $6,300/year in Madison.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cary averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Cary vs Madison

Madison averages $2,200/year less for private school (24% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $11,500/year in Cary. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Cary

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cary	Madison	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$9,300/yr	+$2,200
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$6,300/yr	+$1,800
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$21,100/yr	+$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$7,900/yr	+$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$9,300/yr	+$2,200
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$11,200/yr	+$2,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cary

$149,500

Madison

$120,900

Choosing Madison saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

Sample Schools

Cary

Cary Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $25,800/yr

Thales Academy (Cary)

Independent · K–12 · $7,200-$9,400/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 Cary breakdown → Full Madison breakdown →

North Carolina 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.