Is private school cheaper in Fresno or Santa Clarita?

Fresno has lower average private school tuition at $10,500/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. That's $7,500/year less, or $97,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fresno is $7,500/year less than Santa Clarita. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $97,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Fresno, $11,700/year in Santa Clarita.

How do Fresno and Santa Clarita 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). Santa Clarita averages $18,000/year ($5,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Fresno vs Santa Clarita

Fresno averages $7,500/year less for private school (71% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $97,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Fresno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,500/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Santa Clarita

$18,000

avg tuition/year

$5,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fresno	Santa Clarita	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$18,000/yr	-$7,500
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$11,700/yr	-$4,700
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$35,100/yr	-$15,600
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$15,300/yr	-$6,700
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$18,000/yr	-$7,500
High School (9-12)	$12,900/yr	$21,600/yr	-$8,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fresno

$136,500

Santa Clarita

$234,000

Choosing Fresno saves $97,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $195,000.

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

Santa Clarita

The Masters School (Santa Clarita)

Christian · K–12 · $14,800/yr

West Ranch Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Fresno breakdown → Full Santa Clarita breakdown →

California 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.