Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Denton?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $12,000/year in Denton. That's $5,500/year less, or $71,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $5,500/year less than Denton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $71,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $8,200/year in Denton.

How do Bismarck and Denton 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). Denton averages $12,000/year ($350 below average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Denton

Bismarck averages $5,500/year less for private school (85% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $71,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $12,000/year in Denton. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Denton

$12,000

avg tuition/year

$350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Denton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$12,000/yr	-$5,500
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$8,200/yr	-$3,600
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$25,400/yr	-$12,600
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$10,200/yr	-$4,700
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$12,000/yr	-$5,500
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$14,400/yr	-$6,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Denton

$156,000

Choosing Bismarck saves $71,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $143,000.

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

Denton

Argyle Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Denton Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Denton breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Texas 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.