Is private school cheaper in Madison or Manchester?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $18,200/year in Manchester. That's $8,900/year less, or $115,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Madison is $8,900/year less than Manchester. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $115,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Madison, $10,400/year in Manchester.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average). Manchester averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Madison vs Manchester

Madison averages $8,900/year less for private school (96% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $115,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $18,200/year in Manchester. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Manchester

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Madison	Manchester	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,300/yr	$18,200/yr	-$8,900
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$10,400/yr	-$4,100
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$39,300/yr	-$18,200
Elementary (K-5)	$7,900/yr	$15,500/yr	-$7,600
Middle School (6-8)	$9,300/yr	$18,200/yr	-$8,900
High School (9-12)	$11,200/yr	$21,800/yr	-$10,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Madison

$120,900

Manchester

$236,600

Choosing Madison saves $115,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $231,400.

Sample Schools

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

Manchester

Manchester Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Derryfield School (Manchester NH)

Independent · 6–12 · $27,400/yr

Full Madison breakdown → Full Manchester breakdown →

Wisconsin private school costs New Hampshire 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.