Is private school cheaper in Hartford or Modesto?

Modesto has lower average private school tuition at $14,400/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $13,600/year less, or $176,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Modesto over Hartford?

Average tuition in Modesto is $13,600/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $176,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $15,800/year in Hartford, $9,400/year in Modesto.

How do Hartford and Modesto private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Hartford averages $28,000/year ($15,650 above average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Hartford vs Modesto

Modesto averages $13,600/year less for private school (94% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $176,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Modesto is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,400/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Hartford	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$28,000/yr	$14,400/yr	+$13,600
Religious Schools	$15,800/yr	$9,400/yr	+$6,400
Independent/Prep	$44,500/yr	$28,100/yr	+$16,400
Elementary (K-5)	$22,800/yr	$12,200/yr	+$10,600
Middle School (6-8)	$28,000/yr	$14,400/yr	+$13,600
High School (9-12)	$35,000/yr	$17,300/yr	+$17,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Hartford

$364,000

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Modesto saves $176,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $353,600.

Sample Schools

Hartford

Kingswood Oxford School

Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr

Loomis Chaffee School

Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr

Watkinson School

Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr

Northwest Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Modesto

Central Catholic High School (Modesto)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Modesto Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Hartford breakdown → Full Modesto breakdown →

Connecticut private school costs 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.