Is private school cheaper in Madison or Tampa?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. That's $3,200/year less, or $41,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Madison is $3,200/year less than Tampa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $41,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Madison, $8,200/year in Tampa.

How do Madison and Tampa 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). Tampa averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Madison vs Tampa

Madison averages $3,200/year less for private school (34% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $41,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $12,500/year in Tampa. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tampa

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Madison	Tampa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,300/yr	$12,500/yr	-$3,200
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$8,200/yr	-$1,900
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$23,500/yr	-$2,400
Elementary (K-5)	$7,900/yr	$10,200/yr	-$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$9,300/yr	$12,500/yr	-$3,200
High School (9-12)	$11,200/yr	$15,500/yr	-$4,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Madison

$120,900

Tampa

$162,500

Choosing Madison saves $41,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $83,200.

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

Tampa

Academy at the Lakes

Independent · PK–12 · $23,800-$26,200/yr

Jesuit High School (Tampa)

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,800/yr

Berkeley Preparatory School

Independent · PK–12 · $27,200-$29,800/yr

Tampa Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Full Madison breakdown → Full Tampa breakdown →

Wisconsin private school costs Florida private school costs

Related Comparisons

Miami vs Tampa → Tampa vs Orlando →

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.