Private School Cost: Modesto vs San Francisco
Modesto averages $19,800/year less for private school (138% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $257,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Modesto is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,400/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.
Modesto
CA
$14,400
avg tuition/year
San Francisco
CA
$34,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Modesto | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $14,400/yr | $34,200/yr | -$19,800 |
| Religious Schools | $9,400/yr | $16,000/yr | -$6,600 |
| Independent/Prep | $28,100/yr | $52,000/yr | -$23,900 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $12,200/yr | $28,000/yr | -$15,800 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $14,400/yr | $34,200/yr | -$19,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $17,300/yr | $42,000/yr | -$24,700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Modesto
$187,200
San Francisco
$444,600
Choosing Modesto saves $257,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $514,800.
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
San Francisco
San Francisco University High School
Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr
The Urban School of San Francisco
Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr
Katherine Delmar Burke School
Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr
St. Ignatius College Preparatory
Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr
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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.