Is private school cheaper in Los Angeles or Modesto?

Modesto has lower average private school tuition at $14,400/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. That's $12,400/year less, or $161,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Modesto is $12,400/year less than Los Angeles. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $161,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,500/year in Los Angeles, $9,400/year in Modesto.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Los Angeles averages $26,800/year ($14,450 above average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Los Angeles vs Modesto

Modesto averages $12,400/year less for private school (86% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $161,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Modesto is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,400/year vs $26,800/year in Los Angeles. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Los Angeles

$26,800

avg tuition/year

$14,450 above national avg

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Los Angeles	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$26,800/yr	$14,400/yr	+$12,400
Religious Schools	$13,500/yr	$9,400/yr	+$4,100
Independent/Prep	$42,000/yr	$28,100/yr	+$13,900
Elementary (K-5)	$22,000/yr	$12,200/yr	+$9,800
Middle School (6-8)	$26,800/yr	$14,400/yr	+$12,400
High School (9-12)	$32,000/yr	$17,300/yr	+$14,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Los Angeles

$348,400

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Modesto saves $161,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $322,400.

Sample Schools

Los Angeles

Harvard-Westlake School

Independent · 7–12 · $47,890/yr

Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences

Independent · K–12 · $44,370/yr

Marlborough School

Independent · 7–12 · $44,800/yr

St. Monica Catholic School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/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 Los Angeles breakdown → Full Modesto breakdown →

California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Los Angeles vs San Francisco → Los Angeles vs San Diego → Los Angeles vs San Jose → Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.