Is private school cheaper in Madison or Meridian?

Meridian has lower average private school tuition at $7,800/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Meridian is $1,500/year less than Madison. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Madison, $5,300/year in Meridian.

How do Madison and Meridian 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). Meridian averages $7,800/year ($4,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Madison vs Meridian

Meridian averages $1,500/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Meridian is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,800/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. Religious schools run $5,300/year on the low end.

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Meridian

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

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

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Madison

$120,900

Meridian

$101,400

Choosing Meridian saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

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

Meridian

Nampa Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Victory Charter School (Meridian)

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Madison breakdown → Full Meridian breakdown →

Wisconsin private school costs Idaho 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.