Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Chesapeake?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $14,300/year in Chesapeake. That's $7,800/year less, or $101,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $7,800/year less than Chesapeake. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $101,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $9,800/year in Chesapeake.

How do Bismarck and Chesapeake 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). Chesapeake averages $14,300/year ($1,950 above average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Chesapeake

Bismarck averages $7,800/year less for private school (120% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $101,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $14,300/year in Chesapeake. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Chesapeake

$14,300

avg tuition/year

$1,950 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Chesapeake	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$14,300/yr	-$7,800
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$9,800/yr	-$5,200
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$28,500/yr	-$15,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$12,200/yr	-$6,700
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$14,300/yr	-$7,800
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$17,200/yr	-$9,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Chesapeake

$185,900

Choosing Bismarck saves $101,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $202,800.

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

Chesapeake

Greenbrier Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Norfolk Academy

Independent · K–12 · $23,800/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Chesapeake breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Virginia 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.