Is private school cheaper in Honolulu or Madison?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $10,900/year less, or $141,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Madison is $10,900/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $141,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Honolulu, $6,300/year in Madison.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average). Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Honolulu vs Madison

Madison averages $10,900/year less for private school (117% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $141,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Honolulu	Madison	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$9,300/yr	+$10,900
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$6,300/yr	+$6,600
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$21,100/yr	+$16,500
Elementary (K-5)	$17,200/yr	$7,900/yr	+$9,300
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$9,300/yr	+$10,900
High School (9-12)	$24,200/yr	$11,200/yr	+$13,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Honolulu

$262,600

Madison

$120,900

Choosing Madison saves $141,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $283,400.

Sample Schools

Honolulu

Punahou School

Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr

Iolani School

Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr

Saint Louis School (Honolulu)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/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 Honolulu 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.