Is private school cheaper in Madison or New Orleans?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. That's $2,500/year less, or $32,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Madison is $2,500/year less than New Orleans. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $32,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Madison, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

How do Madison and New Orleans 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). New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Madison vs New Orleans

Madison averages $2,500/year less for private school (27% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $32,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Madison	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,300/yr	$11,800/yr	-$2,500
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$7,600/yr	-$1,300
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$22,000/yr	-$900
Elementary (K-5)	$7,900/yr	$9,600/yr	-$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$9,300/yr	$11,800/yr	-$2,500
High School (9-12)	$11,200/yr	$14,600/yr	-$3,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Madison

$120,900

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing Madison saves $32,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $65,000.

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

New Orleans

Tulane-affiliated University Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr

Jesuit High School New Orleans

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr

Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)

Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr

Brother Martin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Madison breakdown → Full New Orleans 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.