Is private school cheaper in Kansas City or Madison?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $12,800/year in Kansas City. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Madison is $3,500/year less than Kansas City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Kansas City, $6,300/year in Madison.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Kansas City averages $12,800/year ($450 above average). Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Kansas City vs Madison

Madison averages $3,500/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $12,800/year in Kansas City. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Kansas City

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Kansas City	Madison	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,800/yr	$9,300/yr	+$3,500
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$6,300/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$24,000/yr	$21,100/yr	+$2,900
Elementary (K-5)	$10,400/yr	$7,900/yr	+$2,500
Middle School (6-8)	$12,800/yr	$9,300/yr	+$3,500
High School (9-12)	$15,800/yr	$11,200/yr	+$4,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Kansas City

$166,400

Madison

$120,900

Choosing Madison saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

Sample Schools

Kansas City

Pembroke Hill School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$26,400/yr

Rockhurst High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Bishop Miege High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Teresa's Academy (KC)

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 Kansas City breakdown → Full Madison breakdown →

Missouri 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.