Is private school cheaper in Centennial or Modesto?

Centennial has lower average private school tuition at $13,700/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Centennial is $700/year less than Modesto. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Centennial, $9,400/year in Modesto.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Centennial averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Centennial vs Modesto

Centennial averages $700/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Centennial is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $13,700/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. Religious schools run $8,900/year on the low end.

Centennial

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Lower cost

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Centennial	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,700/yr	$14,400/yr	-$700
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$9,400/yr	-$500
Independent/Prep	$27,000/yr	$28,100/yr	-$1,100
Elementary (K-5)	$11,600/yr	$12,200/yr	-$600
Middle School (6-8)	$13,700/yr	$14,400/yr	-$700
High School (9-12)	$16,400/yr	$17,300/yr	-$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Centennial

$178,100

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Centennial saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

Sample Schools

Centennial

Arapahoe Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Cherry Creek Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/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 Centennial breakdown → Full Modesto breakdown →

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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.