Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Cleveland?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $4,700/year less than Cleveland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $7,400/year in Cleveland.

How do Bismarck and Cleveland 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). Cleveland averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Cleveland

Bismarck averages $4,700/year less for private school (72% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $11,200/year in Cleveland. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Cleveland

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Cleveland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$11,200/yr	-$4,700
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$7,400/yr	-$2,800
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$21,000/yr	-$8,200
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$9,200/yr	-$3,700
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$11,200/yr	-$4,700
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$13,800/yr	-$6,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Cleveland

$145,600

Choosing Bismarck saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

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

Cleveland

University School (Cleveland)

Independent · JK–12 · $26,400-$28,800/yr

Laurel School (Cleveland)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Edward High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Cleveland breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Ohio 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.