Is private school cheaper in Fontana or Modesto?

Modesto has lower average private school tuition at $14,400/year vs $14,900/year in Fontana. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Modesto is $500/year less than Fontana. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,700/year in Fontana, $9,400/year in Modesto.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fontana averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Fontana vs Modesto

Modesto averages $500/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Modesto is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,400/year vs $14,900/year in Fontana. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Fontana

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fontana	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,900/yr	$14,400/yr	+$500
Religious Schools	$9,700/yr	$9,400/yr	+$300
Independent/Prep	$29,000/yr	$28,100/yr	+$900
Elementary (K-5)	$12,700/yr	$12,200/yr	+$500
Middle School (6-8)	$14,900/yr	$14,400/yr	+$500
High School (9-12)	$17,900/yr	$17,300/yr	+$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fontana

$193,700

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Modesto saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

Sample Schools

Fontana

Fontana Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,800/yr

St. Joseph School (Fontana)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,600-$9,200/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 Fontana breakdown → Full Modesto breakdown →

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.