Is private school cheaper in Lakeland or Modesto?

Lakeland has lower average private school tuition at $9,600/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. That's $4,800/year less, or $62,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lakeland is $4,800/year less than Modesto. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $62,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Lakeland, $9,400/year in Modesto.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lakeland averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Lakeland vs Modesto

Lakeland averages $4,800/year less for private school (50% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Lakeland is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,600/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. Religious schools run $6,600/year on the low end.

Lakeland

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakeland	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,600/yr	$14,400/yr	-$4,800
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$9,400/yr	-$2,800
Independent/Prep	$19,800/yr	$28,100/yr	-$8,300
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$12,200/yr	-$4,000
Middle School (6-8)	$9,600/yr	$14,400/yr	-$4,800
High School (9-12)	$11,500/yr	$17,300/yr	-$5,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakeland

$124,800

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Lakeland saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.

Sample Schools

Lakeland

All Saints Academy (Lakeland)

Catholic · PK–12 · $13,800/yr

Victory Christian School (Lakeland)

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/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 Lakeland 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.