Is private school cheaper in Honolulu or Modesto?

Modesto has lower average private school tuition at $14,400/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $5,800/year less, or $75,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Modesto is $5,800/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $75,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Honolulu, $9,400/year in Modesto.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Honolulu vs Modesto

Modesto averages $5,800/year less for private school (40% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $75,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Modesto is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,400/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Honolulu	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,200/yr	$14,400/yr	+$5,800
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$9,400/yr	+$3,500
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$28,100/yr	+$9,500
Elementary (K-5)	$17,200/yr	$12,200/yr	+$5,000
Middle School (6-8)	$20,200/yr	$14,400/yr	+$5,800
High School (9-12)	$24,200/yr	$17,300/yr	+$6,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Honolulu

$262,600

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Modesto saves $75,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $150,800.

Sample Schools

Honolulu

Punahou School

Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr

Iolani School

Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr

Saint Louis School (Honolulu)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/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 Honolulu breakdown → Full Modesto breakdown →

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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.