Is private school cheaper in Madison or Minneapolis?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. That's $5,700/year less, or $74,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Madison is $5,700/year less than Minneapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $74,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Madison, $9,200/year in Minneapolis.

How do Madison and Minneapolis 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). Minneapolis averages $15,000/year ($2,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Madison vs Minneapolis

Madison averages $5,700/year less for private school (61% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $74,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Madison	Minneapolis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,300/yr	$15,000/yr	-$5,700
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$9,200/yr	-$2,900
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$27,500/yr	-$6,400
Elementary (K-5)	$7,900/yr	$12,200/yr	-$4,300
Middle School (6-8)	$9,300/yr	$15,000/yr	-$5,700
High School (9-12)	$11,200/yr	$18,500/yr	-$7,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Madison

$120,900

Minneapolis

$195,000

Choosing Madison saves $74,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $148,200.

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

Minneapolis

Blake School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800-$37,200/yr

Breck School

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Minnehaha Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $16,200-$17,800/yr

De La Salle High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Full Madison breakdown → Full Minneapolis breakdown →

Wisconsin private school costs Minnesota private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.