Is private school cheaper in Albuquerque or Modesto?

Albuquerque has lower average private school tuition at $10,200/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. That's $4,200/year less, or $54,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Albuquerque over Modesto?

Average tuition in Albuquerque is $4,200/year less than Modesto. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $54,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Albuquerque, $9,400/year in Modesto.

How do Albuquerque and Modesto private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albuquerque averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Albuquerque vs Modesto

Albuquerque averages $4,200/year less for private school (41% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $54,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Albuquerque is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,200/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Albuquerque

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albuquerque	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,200/yr	$14,400/yr	-$4,200
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$9,400/yr	-$2,400
Independent/Prep	$19,000/yr	$28,100/yr	-$9,100
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$12,200/yr	-$3,800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,200/yr	$14,400/yr	-$4,200
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$17,300/yr	-$4,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albuquerque

$132,600

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Albuquerque saves $54,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $109,200.

Sample Schools

Albuquerque

Albuquerque Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr

Sandia Preparatory School

Independent · 6–12 · $18,400/yr

St. Pius X High School (Albuquerque)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Bosque School

Independent · 6–12 · $19,800-$21,400/yr

Modesto

Central Catholic High School (Modesto)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Modesto Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Albuquerque breakdown → Full Modesto breakdown →

New Mexico private school costs California 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.