Is private school cheaper in Albany or Bismarck?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $13,200/year less, or $171,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Bismarck over Albany?

Average tuition in Bismarck is $13,200/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $171,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $4,600/year in Bismarck.

How do Albany and Bismarck private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albany averages $19,700/year ($7,350 above average). Bismarck averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Bismarck

Bismarck averages $13,200/year less for private school (203% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $171,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Bismarck	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$6,500/yr	+$13,200
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$4,600/yr	+$6,700
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$12,800/yr	+$29,100
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$5,500/yr	+$11,200
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$6,500/yr	+$13,200
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$7,800/yr	+$15,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Bismarck

$84,500

Choosing Bismarck saves $171,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $343,200.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Bismarck

Century High School Prep (Bismarck)

Independent · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

St. Mary's Central High School (Bismarck)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Bismarck breakdown →

New York private school costs North Dakota 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.