Is private school cheaper in Fresno or Lafayette?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lafayette is $4,300/year less than Fresno. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Fresno, $4,600/year in Lafayette.

How do Fresno and Lafayette 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). Lafayette averages $6,200/year ($6,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Fresno vs Lafayette

Lafayette averages $4,300/year less for private school (69% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fresno	Lafayette	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$6,200/yr	+$4,300
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$4,600/yr	+$2,400
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$14,900/yr	+$4,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$5,300/yr	+$3,300
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$6,200/yr	+$4,300
High School (9-12)	$12,900/yr	$7,400/yr	+$5,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fresno

$136,500

Lafayette

$80,600

Choosing Lafayette saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

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

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Fresno breakdown → Full Lafayette breakdown →

California private school costs Louisiana 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.