Is private school cheaper in Boulder or Modesto?

Modesto has lower average private school tuition at $14,400/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Modesto is $800/year less than Boulder. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,900/year in Boulder, $9,400/year in Modesto.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Boulder averages $15,200/year ($2,850 above average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Boulder vs Modesto

Modesto averages $800/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Modesto is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,400/year vs $15,200/year in Boulder. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Boulder

$15,200

avg tuition/year

$2,850 above national avg

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Boulder	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,200/yr	$14,400/yr	+$800
Religious Schools	$9,900/yr	$9,400/yr	+$500
Independent/Prep	$29,900/yr	$28,100/yr	+$1,800
Elementary (K-5)	$12,900/yr	$12,200/yr	+$700
Middle School (6-8)	$15,200/yr	$14,400/yr	+$800
High School (9-12)	$18,200/yr	$17,300/yr	+$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Boulder

$197,600

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Modesto saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.

Sample Schools

Boulder

Naropa University Lab School

Independent · K–8 · $18,400/yr

Dawson School

Independent · PK–12 · $26,800/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 Boulder breakdown → Full Modesto breakdown →

Colorado 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.