College Nannies & Tutors vs Mad Science
College Nannies & Tutors vs Mad Science: College Nannies & Tutors costs $41K to $150K to open; Mad Science costs $508K to $2.0M. College Nannies & Tutors has 15 units, Mad Science has 36. SBA loan history: College Nannies & Tutors = 14 loans (7.1% default); Mad Science = 38 loans (13.2% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
College Nannies & Tutors vs Mad Science: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
College Nannies & Tutors requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($41K vs $508K for Mad Science), a 92% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for College Nannies & Tutors versus $49K for Mad Science, College Nannies & Tutors has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 5% for College Nannies & Tutors and 3% for Mad Science, giving Mad Science the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Mad Science operates 36 units to College Nannies & Tutors's 15, roughly 2× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Mad Science has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 38 7(a) approvals compared with 14 for College Nannies & Tutors. College Nannies & Tutors's peak SBA year was 2017 (7 loans); Mad Science's peak was 1998 (6 loans). College Nannies & Tutors's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. College Nannies & Tutors has the most SBA funded units in IL, with 3. Mad Science leads in CA, with 7. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded College Nannies & Tutors deals is $113K vs $166K for Mad Science, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.1% for College Nannies & Tutors and 13.2% for Mad Science, College Nannies & Tutors has the cleaner SBA loss record by 6.1 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 33 (Fair) for College Nannies & Tutors and 30 (Fair) for Mad Science, giving College Nannies & Tutors the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 33/100 | 30/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 14 | 38 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.1% | 13.2% |
Peer Tier | growing | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $41K to $150K | $508K to $2.0M |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $49K |
Royalty Rate | 5% | 3% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 3.5% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 15 | 36 |
Franchised Units | 15 | 36 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2001 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | CA | MD |
Category | Educational Support Services | Educational Support Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2025 |
Which Is Better, College Nannies & Tutors or Mad Science?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
College Nannies & Tutors: $41K starting · Mad Science: $508K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Mad Science
College Nannies & Tutors: 14 SBA loans · Mad Science: 38 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
College Nannies & Tutors
College Nannies & Tutors: 7.1% · Mad Science: 13.2%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
College Nannies & Tutors: 15 units · Mad Science: 36 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Mad Science
College Nannies & Tutors: 5% · Mad Science: 3%
More lender financing options
Mad Science
College Nannies & Tutors: 8 unique lenders · Mad Science: 21 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
College Nannies & Tutors vs Mad Science: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing College Nannies & Tutors and Mad Science is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $41K to $2.0M.
College Nannies & Tutors has 14 SBA loans on record and Mad Science has 38. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
College Nannies & Tutors vs Mad Science, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, College Nannies & Tutors or Mad Science?
How much does a College Nannies & Tutors franchise cost compared to Mad Science?
Can I finance College Nannies & Tutors or Mad Science with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, College Nannies & Tutors or Mad Science?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman