Is private school cheaper in Modesto or Riverside?

Modesto has lower average private school tuition at $14,400/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Modesto is $500/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Modesto, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Modesto and Riverside 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). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Modesto vs Riverside

Modesto averages $500/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Modesto is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,400/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Modesto	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,400/yr	$14,900/yr	-$500
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$9,700/yr	-$300
Independent/Prep	$28,100/yr	$29,000/yr	-$900
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$12,700/yr	-$500
Middle School (6-8)	$14,400/yr	$14,900/yr	-$500
High School (9-12)	$17,300/yr	$17,900/yr	-$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Modesto

$187,200

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Modesto saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

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

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Modesto breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

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.