Is private school cheaper in Hayward or Modesto?

Modesto has lower average private school tuition at $14,400/year vs $19,100/year in Hayward. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Modesto is $4,700/year less than Hayward. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in Hayward, $9,400/year in Modesto.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Hayward averages $19,100/year ($6,750 above average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Hayward vs Modesto

Modesto averages $4,700/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Modesto is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,400/year vs $19,100/year in Hayward. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Hayward

$19,100

avg tuition/year

$6,750 above national avg

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Hayward	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,100/yr	$14,400/yr	+$4,700
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$9,400/yr	+$3,000
Independent/Prep	$37,200/yr	$28,100/yr	+$9,100
Elementary (K-5)	$16,200/yr	$12,200/yr	+$4,000
Middle School (6-8)	$19,100/yr	$14,400/yr	+$4,700
High School (9-12)	$22,900/yr	$17,300/yr	+$5,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Hayward

$248,300

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Modesto saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

Sample Schools

Hayward

Moreau Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Calvary Christian Academy (Hayward)

Christian · K–12 · $12,800-$14,600/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 Hayward breakdown → Full Modesto 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.