Is private school cheaper in Chesapeake or Madison?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $14,300/year in Chesapeake. That's $5,000/year less, or $65,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Madison is $5,000/year less than Chesapeake. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $65,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Chesapeake, $6,300/year in Madison.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Chesapeake averages $14,300/year ($1,950 above average). Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Chesapeake vs Madison

Madison averages $5,000/year less for private school (54% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $65,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $14,300/year in Chesapeake. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Chesapeake

$14,300

avg tuition/year

$1,950 above national avg

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Chesapeake	Madison	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,300/yr	$9,300/yr	+$5,000
Religious Schools	$9,800/yr	$6,300/yr	+$3,500
Independent/Prep	$28,500/yr	$21,100/yr	+$7,400
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$7,900/yr	+$4,300
Middle School (6-8)	$14,300/yr	$9,300/yr	+$5,000
High School (9-12)	$17,200/yr	$11,200/yr	+$6,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chesapeake

$185,900

Madison

$120,900

Choosing Madison saves $65,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $130,000.

Sample Schools

Chesapeake

Greenbrier Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Norfolk Academy

Independent · K–12 · $23,800/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 Chesapeake breakdown → Full Madison breakdown →

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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.