Is private school cheaper in Louisville or Modesto?

Louisville has lower average private school tuition at $11,500/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. That's $2,900/year less, or $37,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Louisville is $2,900/year less than Modesto. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $37,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Louisville, $9,400/year in Modesto.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Louisville averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Louisville vs Modesto

Louisville averages $2,900/year less for private school (25% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $37,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Louisville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,500/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. Religious schools run $7,800/year on the low end.

Louisville

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Lower cost

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Louisville	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$14,400/yr	-$2,900
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$28,100/yr	-$6,600
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$12,200/yr	-$2,800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$14,400/yr	-$2,900
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$17,300/yr	-$3,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Louisville

$149,500

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Louisville saves $37,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $75,400.

Sample Schools

Louisville

Louisville Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Bellarmine University Prep (Affiliated)

Reference · N/A

Male High School (Public Magnet)

Magnet (Free) · 9–12

Trinity High School (Louisville)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/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 Louisville breakdown → Full Modesto breakdown →

Kentucky 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.