Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Columbia?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $1,800/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $5,900/year in Columbia.

How do Bismarck and Columbia 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). Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Columbia

Bismarck averages $1,800/year less for private school (28% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$8,300/yr	-$1,800
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$5,900/yr	-$1,300
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$19,500/yr	-$6,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$7,100/yr	-$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$8,300/yr	-$1,800
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$10,000/yr	-$2,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Columbia

$107,900

Choosing Bismarck saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

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

Columbia

Columbia Independent School

Independent · PK–8 · $12,800/yr

Calvary Lutheran School (Columbia MO)

Lutheran · PK–8 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Missouri 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.