Is private school cheaper in Fresno or Minneapolis?

Fresno has lower average private school tuition at $10,500/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. That's $4,500/year less, or $58,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fresno is $4,500/year less than Minneapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $58,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Fresno, $9,200/year in Minneapolis.

How do Fresno and Minneapolis 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). Minneapolis averages $15,000/year ($2,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Fresno vs Minneapolis

Fresno averages $4,500/year less for private school (43% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $58,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Fresno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,500/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fresno	Minneapolis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$15,000/yr	-$4,500
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$9,200/yr	-$2,200
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$27,500/yr	-$8,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$12,200/yr	-$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$15,000/yr	-$4,500
High School (9-12)	$12,900/yr	$18,500/yr	-$5,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fresno

$136,500

Minneapolis

$195,000

Choosing Fresno saves $58,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $117,000.

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

Minneapolis

Blake School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800-$37,200/yr

Breck School

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Minnehaha Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $16,200-$17,800/yr

De La Salle High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Full Fresno breakdown → Full Minneapolis breakdown →

California private school costs Minnesota private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.