Is private school cheaper in Milwaukee or Springfield?

Springfield has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $11,200/year in Milwaukee. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Springfield is $3,500/year less than Milwaukee. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Milwaukee, $5,500/year in Springfield.

How do Milwaukee and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $7,700/year ($4,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Milwaukee vs Springfield

Springfield averages $3,500/year less for private school (45% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Springfield is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $11,200/year in Milwaukee. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Milwaukee

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Springfield

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Milwaukee	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,200/yr	$7,700/yr	+$3,500
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$5,500/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$21,000/yr	$18,000/yr	+$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,200/yr	$6,500/yr	+$2,700
Middle School (6-8)	$11,200/yr	$7,700/yr	+$3,500
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$9,200/yr	+$4,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Milwaukee

$145,600

Springfield

$100,100

Choosing Springfield saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

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

Springfield

Greenwood Laboratory School (Springfield MO)

Independent · PK–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

St. Agnes Cathedral School

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr

Full Milwaukee breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Wisconsin private school costs Missouri private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Milwaukee →

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.