Is private school cheaper in Madison or Waterbury?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $11,200/year less, or $145,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Madison is $11,200/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $145,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Madison, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Madison and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Madison vs Waterbury

Madison averages $11,200/year less for private school (120% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $145,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Madison	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,300/yr	$20,500/yr	-$11,200
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$11,300/yr	-$5,000
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$40,800/yr	-$19,700
Elementary (K-5)	$7,900/yr	$17,400/yr	-$9,500
Middle School (6-8)	$9,300/yr	$20,500/yr	-$11,200
High School (9-12)	$11,200/yr	$24,600/yr	-$13,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Madison

$120,900

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Madison saves $145,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $291,200.

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Madison breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Wisconsin private school costs Connecticut 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.