Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Bridgeport?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $23,100/year in Bridgeport. That's $16,600/year less, or $215,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $16,600/year less than Bridgeport. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $215,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $12,700/year in Bridgeport.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bismarck averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average). Bridgeport averages $23,100/year ($10,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Bridgeport

Bismarck averages $16,600/year less for private school (255% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $215,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $23,100/year in Bridgeport. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Bridgeport

$23,100

avg tuition/year

$10,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Bridgeport	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$23,100/yr	-$16,600
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$12,700/yr	-$8,100
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$45,900/yr	-$33,100
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$19,600/yr	-$14,100
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$23,100/yr	-$16,600
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$27,700/yr	-$19,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Bridgeport

$300,300

Choosing Bismarck saves $215,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $431,600.

Sample Schools

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

Bridgeport

Fairfield Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Academy of Our Lady of Mercy

Catholic · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Bridgeport breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Connecticut 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.