Mad Science vs Tutoring Club
Mad Science vs Tutoring Club: Mad Science costs $508K to $2.0M to open; Tutoring Club costs $89K to $163K. Mad Science has 36 units, Tutoring Club has 7. SBA loan history: Mad Science = 38 loans (13.2% default); Tutoring Club = 9 loans (11.1% 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.
Mad Science vs Tutoring Club: 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
Tutoring Club requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($89K vs $508K for Mad Science), a 473% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $49K for Mad Science versus $35K for Tutoring Club, Tutoring Club has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 3% for Mad Science and 10% for Tutoring Club, giving Mad Science the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Mad Science operates 36 units to Tutoring Club's 7, roughly 5× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Mad Science has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 38 7(a) approvals compared with 9 for Tutoring Club. Mad Science's peak SBA year was 1998 (6 loans); Tutoring Club's peak was 2016 (5 loans). Tutoring Club's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Mad Science has the most SBA funded units in CA, with 7. Tutoring Club leads in VA, with 5. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Mad Science deals is $166K vs $153K for Tutoring Club, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 13.2% for Mad Science and 11.1% for Tutoring Club, Tutoring Club has the cleaner SBA loss record by 2.1 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 30 (Fair) for Mad Science and 30 (Fair) for Tutoring Club.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 30/100 | 30/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 38 | 9 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 13.2% | 11.1% |
Peer Tier | established | emerging |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $508K to $2.0M | $89K to $163K |
Franchise Fee | $49K | $35K |
Royalty Rate | 3% | 10% |
Ad Fund | 3.5% | 1% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 36 | 7 |
Franchised Units | 36 | 7 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 5 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 1991 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | MD | CA |
Category | Educational Support Services | Educational Support Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Mad Science or Tutoring Club?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Mad Science: $508K starting · Tutoring Club: $89K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Mad Science
Mad Science: 38 SBA loans · Tutoring Club: 9 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Tutoring Club
Mad Science: 13.2% · Tutoring Club: 11.1%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Mad Science: 36 units · Tutoring Club: 7 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Mad Science
Mad Science: 3% · Tutoring Club: 10%
More lender financing options
Mad Science
Mad Science: 21 unique lenders · Tutoring Club: 5 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
Mad Science vs Tutoring Club: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Mad Science and Tutoring Club is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $89K to $2.0M.
Mad Science has 38 SBA loans on record and Tutoring Club has 9. 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.
Mad Science vs Tutoring Club, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Mad Science or Tutoring Club?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Mad Science or Tutoring Club?
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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