Is private school cheaper in Fresno or Virginia Beach?

Fresno has lower average private school tuition at $10,500/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. That's $2,700/year less, or $35,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fresno is $2,700/year less than Virginia Beach. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $35,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Fresno, $8,600/year in Virginia Beach.

How do Fresno and Virginia Beach 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). Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average).

Private School Cost: Fresno vs Virginia Beach

Fresno averages $2,700/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $35,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Fresno is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,500/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. Religious schools run $7,000/year on the low end.

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fresno	Virginia Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$13,200/yr	-$2,700
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$8,600/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$24,500/yr	-$5,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$10,800/yr	-$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$13,200/yr	-$2,700
High School (9-12)	$12,900/yr	$16,200/yr	-$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fresno

$136,500

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Choosing Fresno saves $35,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $70,200.

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

Virginia Beach

Norfolk Academy

Independent · 1–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

Cape Henry Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Kellam High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

Full Fresno breakdown → Full Virginia Beach breakdown →

California private school costs Virginia 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.