Is private school cheaper in Chesapeake or Modesto?

Chesapeake has lower average private school tuition at $14,300/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Chesapeake is $100/year less than Modesto. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,800/year in Chesapeake, $9,400/year in Modesto.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Chesapeake averages $14,300/year ($1,950 above average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Chesapeake vs Modesto

Chesapeake averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Chesapeake is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,300/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Chesapeake

$14,300

avg tuition/year

$1,950 above national avg

Lower cost

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

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

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Chesapeake

$185,900

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Chesapeake saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

Sample Schools

Chesapeake

Greenbrier Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Norfolk Academy

Independent · K–12 · $23,800/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 Chesapeake breakdown → Full Modesto breakdown →

Virginia 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.