Is private school cheaper in Madison or Surprise?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Madison is $200/year less than Surprise. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Madison, $7,100/year in Surprise.

How do Madison and Surprise 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). Surprise averages $9,500/year ($2,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Madison vs Surprise

Madison averages $200/year less for private school (2% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Surprise

$9,500

avg tuition/year

$2,850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Madison	Surprise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,300/yr	$9,500/yr	-$200
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$7,100/yr	-$800
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$18,100/yr	+$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$7,900/yr	$8,100/yr	-$200
Middle School (6-8)	$9,300/yr	$9,500/yr	-$200
High School (9-12)	$11,200/yr	$11,400/yr	-$200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Madison

$120,900

Surprise

$123,500

Choosing Madison saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

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

Surprise

Surprise Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Holy Cross School (Surprise AZ)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Full Madison breakdown → Full Surprise breakdown →

Wisconsin private school costs Arizona 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.