Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Bismarck?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $12,300/year less, or $159,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $12,300/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $159,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $4,600/year in Bismarck.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Alexandria averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Bismarck averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Bismarck

Bismarck averages $12,300/year less for private school (189% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $159,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Bismarck	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$6,500/yr	+$12,300
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$4,600/yr	+$8,300
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$12,800/yr	+$24,800
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$5,500/yr	+$10,500
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$6,500/yr	+$12,300
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$7,800/yr	+$14,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Bismarck

$84,500

Choosing Bismarck saves $159,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $319,800.

Sample Schools

Alexandria

Episcopal High School (Alexandria VA)

Independent (Episcopal) · 9–12 · $65,800/yr

Bishop Ireton High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/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 Alexandria breakdown → Full Bismarck 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.