Is private school cheaper in Cambridge or Modesto?

Modesto has lower average private school tuition at $14,400/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $17,600/year less, or $228,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Modesto is $17,600/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $228,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $17,300/year in Cambridge, $9,400/year in Modesto.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Cambridge averages $32,000/year ($19,650 above average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Cambridge vs Modesto

Modesto averages $17,600/year less for private school (122% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $228,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Modesto is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,400/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Cambridge	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$32,000/yr	$14,400/yr	+$17,600
Religious Schools	$17,300/yr	$9,400/yr	+$7,900
Independent/Prep	$65,000/yr	$28,100/yr	+$36,900
Elementary (K-5)	$27,200/yr	$12,200/yr	+$15,000
Middle School (6-8)	$32,000/yr	$14,400/yr	+$17,600
High School (9-12)	$38,400/yr	$17,300/yr	+$21,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Cambridge

$416,000

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Modesto saves $228,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $457,600.

Sample Schools

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/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 Cambridge breakdown → Full Modesto breakdown →

Massachusetts 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.