Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Fremont?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $20,100/year in Fremont. That's $13,600/year less, or $176,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $13,600/year less than Fremont. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $176,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $13,100/year in Fremont.

How do Bismarck and Fremont 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). Fremont averages $20,100/year ($7,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Fremont

Bismarck averages $13,600/year less for private school (209% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $176,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $20,100/year in Fremont. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Fremont

$20,100

avg tuition/year

$7,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Fremont	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$20,100/yr	-$13,600
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$13,100/yr	-$8,500
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$39,000/yr	-$26,200
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$17,100/yr	-$11,600
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$20,100/yr	-$13,600
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$24,100/yr	-$16,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Fremont

$261,300

Choosing Bismarck saves $176,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $353,600.

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

Fremont

Mission San Jose High School (Private)

Independent · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Fremont Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $14,800-$17,200/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Fremont breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs California 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.