Is private school cheaper in Little Rock or Madison?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Little Rock is $2,700/year less than Madison. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Little Rock, $6,300/year in Madison.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average). Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Little Rock vs Madison

Little Rock averages $2,700/year less for private school (41% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Little Rock	Madison	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,600/yr	$9,300/yr	-$2,700
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$6,300/yr	-$1,300
Independent/Prep	$13,100/yr	$21,100/yr	-$8,000
Elementary (K-5)	$5,600/yr	$7,900/yr	-$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$6,600/yr	$9,300/yr	-$2,700
High School (9-12)	$7,900/yr	$11,200/yr	-$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Little Rock

$85,800

Madison

$120,900

Choosing Little Rock saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

Sample Schools

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/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 Little Rock 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.