Is private school cheaper in Modesto or Waterbury?

Modesto has lower average private school tuition at $14,400/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $6,100/year less, or $79,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Modesto is $6,100/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $79,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Modesto, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Modesto and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Modesto vs Waterbury

Modesto averages $6,100/year less for private school (42% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $79,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Modesto is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $14,400/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $9,400/year on the low end.

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Modesto	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$14,400/yr	$20,500/yr	-$6,100
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$11,300/yr	-$1,900
Independent/Prep	$28,100/yr	$40,800/yr	-$12,700
Elementary (K-5)	$12,200/yr	$17,400/yr	-$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$14,400/yr	$20,500/yr	-$6,100
High School (9-12)	$17,300/yr	$24,600/yr	-$7,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Modesto

$187,200

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Modesto saves $79,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $158,600.

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Modesto breakdown → Full Waterbury 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.