Is private school cheaper in Fresno or Lowell?

Fresno has lower average private school tuition at $10,500/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $13,100/year less, or $170,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fresno is $13,100/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $170,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Fresno, $12,800/year in Lowell.

How do Fresno and Lowell 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). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Fresno vs Lowell

Fresno averages $13,100/year less for private school (125% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $170,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Fresno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,500/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fresno	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$23,600/yr	-$13,100
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$12,800/yr	-$5,800
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$48,100/yr	-$28,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$20,100/yr	-$11,500
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$23,600/yr	-$13,100
High School (9-12)	$12,900/yr	$28,300/yr	-$15,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fresno

$136,500

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Fresno saves $170,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $340,600.

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

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Fresno breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

California private school costs Massachusetts 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.