Is private school cheaper in Augusta or Bismarck?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $9,900/year in Augusta. That's $3,400/year less, or $44,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $3,400/year less than Augusta. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $44,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Augusta, $4,600/year in Bismarck.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Augusta averages $9,900/year ($2,450 below average). Bismarck averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Augusta vs Bismarck

Bismarck averages $3,400/year less for private school (52% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $44,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $9,900/year in Augusta. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Augusta

$9,900

avg tuition/year

$2,450 below national avg

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Augusta	Bismarck	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,900/yr	$6,500/yr	+$3,400
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$4,600/yr	+$2,300
Independent/Prep	$20,100/yr	$12,800/yr	+$7,300
Elementary (K-5)	$8,400/yr	$5,500/yr	+$2,900
Middle School (6-8)	$9,900/yr	$6,500/yr	+$3,400
High School (9-12)	$11,900/yr	$7,800/yr	+$4,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Augusta

$128,700

Bismarck

$84,500

Choosing Bismarck saves $44,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $88,400.

Sample Schools

Augusta

Augusta Preparatory Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $17,400/yr

Aquinas High School (Augusta)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/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 Augusta 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.