Is private school cheaper in Fresno or Providence?

Fresno has lower average private school tuition at $10,500/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. That's $11,500/year less, or $149,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fresno is $11,500/year less than Providence. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $149,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Fresno, $12,400/year in Providence.

How do Fresno and Providence 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). Providence averages $22,000/year ($9,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Fresno vs Providence

Fresno averages $11,500/year less for private school (110% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $149,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Fresno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,500/year vs $22,000/year in Providence. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Providence

$22,000

avg tuition/year

$9,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fresno	Providence	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$22,000/yr	-$11,500
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$12,400/yr	-$5,400
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$36,000/yr	-$16,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$18,000/yr	-$9,400
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$22,000/yr	-$11,500
High School (9-12)	$12,900/yr	$27,500/yr	-$14,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fresno

$136,500

Providence

$286,000

Choosing Fresno saves $149,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $299,000.

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

Providence

Moses Brown School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

Wheeler School

Independent · PK–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Providence Country Day School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,800/yr

La Salle Academy (Providence)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Fresno breakdown → Full Providence breakdown →

California private school costs Rhode Island 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.