Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Elgin?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $5,200/year less, or $67,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $5,200/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $67,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $7,400/year in Elgin.

How do Bismarck and Elgin 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). Elgin averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Elgin

Bismarck averages $5,200/year less for private school (80% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $67,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Elgin	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$11,700/yr	-$5,200
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$7,400/yr	-$2,800
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$27,100/yr	-$14,300
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$9,900/yr	-$4,400
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$11,700/yr	-$5,200
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$14,000/yr	-$6,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Elgin

$152,100

Choosing Bismarck saves $67,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $135,200.

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

Elgin

Timothy Christian Schools (Elgin)

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$13,800/yr

St. Edward Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Elgin breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Illinois 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.