Private School Cost: Madison vs Mesa
Madison averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.
Bottom Line
Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $9,400/year in Mesa. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.
Madison
WI
$9,300
avg tuition/year
Mesa
AZ
$9,400
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Madison | Mesa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $9,300/yr | $9,400/yr | -$100 |
| Religious Schools | $6,300/yr | $7,000/yr | -$700 |
| Independent/Prep | $21,100/yr | $18,000/yr | +$3,100 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $7,900/yr | $8,000/yr | -$100 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $9,300/yr | $9,400/yr | -$100 |
| High School (9-12) | $11,200/yr | $11,300/yr | -$100 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Madison
$120,900
Mesa
$122,200
Choosing Madison saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.
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
Mesa
Gilbert Christian Schools
Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr
Mesa Christian School
Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr
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.