Is private school cheaper in Allen or Bismarck?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $12,600/year in Allen. That's $6,100/year less, or $79,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $6,100/year less than Allen. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $79,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,600/year in Allen, $4,600/year in Bismarck.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Allen averages $12,600/year ($250 above average). Bismarck averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Allen vs Bismarck

Bismarck averages $6,100/year less for private school (94% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $79,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $12,600/year in Allen. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Allen

$12,600

avg tuition/year

$250 above national avg

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Allen	Bismarck	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,600/yr	$6,500/yr	+$6,100
Religious Schools	$8,600/yr	$4,600/yr	+$4,000
Independent/Prep	$26,600/yr	$12,800/yr	+$13,800
Elementary (K-5)	$10,700/yr	$5,500/yr	+$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$12,600/yr	$6,500/yr	+$6,100
High School (9-12)	$15,100/yr	$7,800/yr	+$7,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Allen

$163,800

Bismarck

$84,500

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

Sample Schools

Allen

Allen Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,800/yr

Our Lady of Angels School (Allen)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,800-$10,600/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 Allen breakdown → Full Bismarck breakdown →

Texas 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.