Is private school cheaper in Lincoln or Madison?

Lincoln has lower average private school tuition at $7,200/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. That's $2,100/year less, or $27,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lincoln is $2,100/year less than Madison. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $27,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Lincoln, $6,300/year in Madison.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average). Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Lincoln vs Madison

Lincoln averages $2,100/year less for private school (29% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $27,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

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

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lincoln

$93,600

Madison

$120,900

Choosing Lincoln saves $27,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $54,600.

Sample Schools

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/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 Lincoln breakdown → Full Madison breakdown →

Nebraska 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.