Is private school cheaper in Fresno or Hartford?

Fresno has lower average private school tuition at $10,500/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $17,500/year less, or $227,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Fresno over Hartford?

Average tuition in Fresno is $17,500/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $227,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Fresno, $15,800/year in Hartford.

How do Fresno and Hartford private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fresno averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average). Hartford averages $28,000/year ($15,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Fresno vs Hartford

Fresno averages $17,500/year less for private school (167% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $227,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Fresno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,500/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fresno	Hartford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$28,000/yr	-$17,500
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$15,800/yr	-$8,800
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$44,500/yr	-$25,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$22,800/yr	-$14,200
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$28,000/yr	-$17,500
High School (9-12)	$12,900/yr	$35,000/yr	-$22,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fresno

$136,500

Hartford

$364,000

Choosing Fresno saves $227,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $455,000.

Sample Schools

Fresno

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$10,800/yr

Central High School (Fresno) (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Bullard Talent School

Magnet (Free) · K–8

Fresno Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$11,400/yr

Hartford

Kingswood Oxford School

Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr

Loomis Chaffee School

Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr

Watkinson School

Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr

Northwest Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Fresno breakdown → Full Hartford breakdown →

California private school costs Connecticut 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.