Is private school cheaper in Amarillo or Bismarck?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $10,100/year in Amarillo. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $3,600/year less than Amarillo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Amarillo, $4,600/year in Bismarck.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Amarillo averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average). Bismarck averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Amarillo vs Bismarck

Bismarck averages $3,600/year less for private school (55% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $10,100/year in Amarillo. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Amarillo

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Amarillo	Bismarck	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$6,500/yr	+$3,600
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$4,600/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$21,300/yr	$12,800/yr	+$8,500
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$5,500/yr	+$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$6,500/yr	+$3,600
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$7,800/yr	+$4,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Amarillo

$131,300

Bismarck

$84,500

Choosing Bismarck saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

Sample Schools

Amarillo

Amarillo Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $9,400-$11,200/yr

St. Mary's Academy (Amarillo)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/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 Amarillo 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.