Is private school cheaper in Baton Rouge or Bismarck?

Baton Rouge has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $6,500/year in Bismarck. That's $0/year less, or $0 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Baton Rouge is $0/year less than Bismarck. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $0 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,800/year in Baton Rouge, $4,600/year in Bismarck.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Baton Rouge averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average). Bismarck averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Baton Rouge vs Bismarck

Both cities average about the same for private school tuition.

Bottom Line

Both cities average around $6,500/year for private school. The difference shows up in school type: religious schools are much cheaper than independent prep.

Baton Rouge

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baton Rouge	Bismarck	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$6,500/yr	Same
Religious Schools	$4,800/yr	$4,600/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$15,700/yr	$12,800/yr	+$2,900
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$5,500/yr	Same
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$6,500/yr	Same
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$7,800/yr	Same

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baton Rouge

$84,500

Bismarck

$84,500

Sample Schools

Baton Rouge

Catholic High School (Baton Rouge)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Episcopal High School (Baton Rouge)

Independent (Episcopal) · 8–12 · $22,400/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 Baton Rouge breakdown → Full Bismarck breakdown →

Louisiana 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.