Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Modesto?

Ann Arbor has lower average private school tuition at $10,400/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. That's $4,000/year less, or $52,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Ann Arbor is $4,000/year less than Modesto. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $52,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $9,400/year in Modesto.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Ann Arbor averages $10,400/year ($1,950 below average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Modesto

Ann Arbor averages $4,000/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $52,000 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$14,400/yr	-$4,000
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$9,400/yr	-$2,200
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$28,100/yr	-$5,900
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$12,200/yr	-$3,400
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$14,400/yr	-$4,000
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$17,300/yr	-$4,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Ann Arbor saves $52,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $104,000.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/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 Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Modesto breakdown →

Michigan 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.