Is private school cheaper in Madison or Springfield?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $11,100/year in Springfield. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Madison is $1,800/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Madison, $7,000/year in Springfield.

How do Madison and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $11,100/year ($1,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Madison vs Springfield

Madison averages $1,800/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $11,100/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$11,100

avg tuition/year

$1,250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Madison	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,300/yr	$11,100/yr	-$1,800
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$7,000/yr	-$700
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$25,700/yr	-$4,600
Elementary (K-5)	$7,900/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$9,300/yr	$11,100/yr	-$1,800
High School (9-12)	$11,200/yr	$13,300/yr	-$2,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Madison

$120,900

Springfield

$144,300

Choosing Madison saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

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

Springfield

Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Springfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Full Madison breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Wisconsin private school costs Illinois 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.