Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Bismarck?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. That's $5,400/year less, or $70,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $5,400/year less than Anchorage. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $70,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $4,600/year in Bismarck.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Anchorage averages $11,900/year ($450 below average). Bismarck averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Bismarck

Bismarck averages $5,400/year less for private school (83% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $70,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Bismarck	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$6,500/yr	+$5,400
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$4,600/yr	+$3,300
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$12,800/yr	+$8,700
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$5,500/yr	+$4,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$6,500/yr	+$5,400
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$7,800/yr	+$6,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Bismarck

$84,500

Choosing Bismarck saves $70,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $140,400.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/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 Anchorage breakdown → Full Bismarck breakdown →

Alaska 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.