Is private school cheaper in Milwaukee or Riverside?

Milwaukee has lower average private school tuition at $11,200/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $3,700/year less, or $48,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Milwaukee over Riverside?

Average tuition in Milwaukee is $3,700/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $48,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Milwaukee, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Milwaukee and Riverside private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Milwaukee averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Milwaukee vs Riverside

Milwaukee averages $3,700/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $48,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Milwaukee is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,200/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $7,400/year on the low end.

Milwaukee

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Milwaukee	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$14,900/yr	-$3,700
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$9,700/yr	-$2,300
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$29,000/yr	-$8,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$12,700/yr	-$3,500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$14,900/yr	-$3,700
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$17,900/yr	-$4,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Milwaukee

$145,600

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Milwaukee saves $48,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $96,200.

Sample Schools

Milwaukee

University School of Milwaukee

Independent · PK–12 · $22,800-$25,200/yr

Milwaukee University School

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Marquette University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Milwaukee breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

Wisconsin private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.