Is private school cheaper in Modesto or Springfield?

Modesto has lower average private school tuition at $14,400/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. That's $8,100/year less, or $105,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Modesto is $8,100/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $105,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Modesto, $12,200/year in Springfield.

How do Modesto and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $22,500/year ($10,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Modesto vs Springfield

Modesto averages $8,100/year less for private school (56% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $105,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Modesto is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,400/year vs $22,500/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$22,500

avg tuition/year

$10,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Modesto	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,400/yr	$22,500/yr	-$8,100
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$12,200/yr	-$2,800
Independent/Prep	$28,100/yr	$45,800/yr	-$17,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$19,100/yr	-$6,900
Middle School (6-8)	$14,400/yr	$22,500/yr	-$8,100
High School (9-12)	$17,300/yr	$27,000/yr	-$9,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Modesto

$187,200

Springfield

$292,500

Choosing Modesto saves $105,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $210,600.

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

Springfield

Cathedral High School (Springfield MA)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

The MacDuffie School

Independent · 6–12 · $38,400/yr

Full Modesto breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

California private school costs Massachusetts 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.