Is private school cheaper in Ann Arbor or Bismarck?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $10,400/year in Ann Arbor. That's $3,900/year less, or $50,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $3,900/year less than Ann Arbor. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $50,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,200/year in Ann Arbor, $4,600/year in Bismarck.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Ann Arbor averages $10,400/year ($1,950 below average). Bismarck averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Ann Arbor vs Bismarck

Bismarck averages $3,900/year less for private school (60% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $50,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $10,400/year in Ann Arbor. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Ann Arbor

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Ann Arbor	Bismarck	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,400/yr	$6,500/yr	+$3,900
Religious Schools	$7,200/yr	$4,600/yr	+$2,600
Independent/Prep	$22,200/yr	$12,800/yr	+$9,400
Elementary (K-5)	$8,800/yr	$5,500/yr	+$3,300
Middle School (6-8)	$10,400/yr	$6,500/yr	+$3,900
High School (9-12)	$12,500/yr	$7,800/yr	+$4,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Ann Arbor

$135,200

Bismarck

$84,500

Choosing Bismarck saves $50,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $101,400.

Sample Schools

Ann Arbor

Greenhills School

Independent · 6–12 · $24,800/yr

Father Gabriel Richard High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/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 Ann Arbor breakdown → Full Bismarck breakdown →

Michigan 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.