Is private school cheaper in Modesto or Plano?

Plano has lower average private school tuition at $12,800/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Plano is $1,600/year less than Modesto. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Modesto, $8,700/year in Plano.

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

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

Private School Cost: Modesto vs Plano

Plano averages $1,600/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Plano is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $12,800/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. Religious schools run $8,700/year on the low end.

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Plano

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Modesto	Plano	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,400/yr	$12,800/yr	+$1,600
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$8,700/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$28,100/yr	$27,100/yr	+$1,000
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$10,900/yr	+$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$14,400/yr	$12,800/yr	+$1,600
High School (9-12)	$17,300/yr	$15,400/yr	+$1,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Modesto

$187,200

Plano

$166,400

Choosing Plano saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

Sample Schools

Modesto

Central Catholic High School (Modesto)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Modesto Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Plano

Prestonwood Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Parish Episcopal School (Plano)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

St. Mark the Evangelist School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Modesto breakdown → Full Plano breakdown →

California private school costs Texas 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.