Is private school cheaper in Fort Lauderdale or Modesto?

Fort Lauderdale has lower average private school tuition at $11,700/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Lauderdale is $2,700/year less than Modesto. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale, $9,400/year in Modesto.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Fort Lauderdale vs Modesto

Fort Lauderdale averages $2,700/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,700/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. Religious schools run $8,100/year on the low end.

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Lower cost

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fort Lauderdale	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$14,400/yr	-$2,700
Religious Schools	$8,100/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,300
Independent/Prep	$24,100/yr	$28,100/yr	-$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$12,200/yr	-$2,300
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$14,400/yr	-$2,700
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$17,300/yr	-$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Fort Lauderdale saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

Sample Schools

Fort Lauderdale

Pine Crest School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School (Ft. Laud.)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Westminster Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,400/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 Fort Lauderdale breakdown → Full Modesto breakdown →

Florida 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.