Is private school cheaper in Denton or Modesto?

Denton has lower average private school tuition at $12,000/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. That's $2,400/year less, or $31,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Denton is $2,400/year less than Modesto. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $31,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Denton, $9,400/year in Modesto.

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

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

Private School Cost: Denton vs Modesto

Denton averages $2,400/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $31,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Denton is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,000/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. Religious schools run $8,200/year on the low end.

Denton

$12,000

avg tuition/year

$350 below national avg

Lower cost

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Denton	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,000/yr	$14,400/yr	-$2,400
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$25,400/yr	$28,100/yr	-$2,700
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$12,200/yr	-$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$12,000/yr	$14,400/yr	-$2,400
High School (9-12)	$14,400/yr	$17,300/yr	-$2,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Denton

$156,000

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Denton saves $31,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $62,400.

Sample Schools

Denton

Argyle Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Denton Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/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 Denton breakdown → Full Modesto breakdown →

Texas 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.