Is private school cheaper in Fresno or Peoria?

Peoria has lower average private school tuition at $9,700/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Peoria is $800/year less than Fresno. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Fresno, $7,300/year in Peoria.

How do Fresno and Peoria 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). Peoria averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Fresno vs Peoria

Peoria averages $800/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Peoria is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,700/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Peoria

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fresno	Peoria	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$9,700/yr	+$800
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$7,300/yr	-$300
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$18,500/yr	+$1,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$8,200/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$9,700/yr	+$800
High School (9-12)	$12,900/yr	$11,600/yr	+$1,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fresno

$136,500

Peoria

$126,100

Choosing Peoria saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.

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

Peoria

Sandra Day O'Connor Prep (Peoria)

Independent · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Deer Valley Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Full Fresno breakdown → Full Peoria breakdown →

California private school costs Arizona 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.