Is private school cheaper in Modesto or Port St. Lucie?

Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie over Modesto?

Average tuition in Port St. Lucie 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: $9,400/year in Modesto, $6,600/year in Port St. Lucie.

How do Modesto and Port St. Lucie 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). Port St. Lucie averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Modesto vs Port St. Lucie

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

Bottom Line

Port St. Lucie 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.

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Port St. Lucie

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

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

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Modesto

$187,200

Port St. Lucie

$124,800

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

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

Port St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

Saint Bernadette School (PSL)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,600-$9,400/yr

Full Modesto breakdown → Full Port St. Lucie 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.