Is private school cheaper in Fayetteville or Modesto?

Fayetteville has lower average private school tuition at $9,000/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. That's $5,400/year less, or $70,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fayetteville is $5,400/year less than Modesto. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $70,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Fayetteville, $9,400/year in Modesto.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fayetteville averages $9,000/year ($3,350 below average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Fayetteville vs Modesto

Fayetteville averages $5,400/year less for private school (60% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $70,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Fayetteville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,000/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Fayetteville

$9,000

avg tuition/year

$3,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fayetteville	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,000/yr	$14,400/yr	-$5,400
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$9,400/yr	-$3,100
Independent/Prep	$18,900/yr	$28,100/yr	-$9,200
Elementary (K-5)	$7,700/yr	$12,200/yr	-$4,500
Middle School (6-8)	$9,000/yr	$14,400/yr	-$5,400
High School (9-12)	$10,800/yr	$17,300/yr	-$6,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fayetteville

$117,000

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Fayetteville saves $70,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $140,400.

Sample Schools

Fayetteville

Cape Fear Academy (Wilmington)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Fayetteville Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/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 Fayetteville breakdown → Full Modesto breakdown →

North Carolina 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.