Is private school cheaper in Modesto or Sunnyvale?

Modesto has lower average private school tuition at $14,400/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $7,200/year less, or $93,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Modesto is $7,200/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $93,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Modesto, $14,100/year in Sunnyvale.

How do Modesto and Sunnyvale 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). Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Modesto vs Sunnyvale

Modesto averages $7,200/year less for private school (50% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $93,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Modesto is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,400/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Modesto	Sunnyvale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,400/yr	$21,600/yr	-$7,200
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$14,100/yr	-$4,700
Independent/Prep	$28,100/yr	$42,100/yr	-$14,000
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$18,400/yr	-$6,200
Middle School (6-8)	$14,400/yr	$21,600/yr	-$7,200
High School (9-12)	$17,300/yr	$25,900/yr	-$8,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Modesto

$187,200

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Choosing Modesto saves $93,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $187,200.

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

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr

Full Modesto breakdown → Full Sunnyvale 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.