Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Fresno?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. That's $4,000/year less, or $52,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $4,000/year less than Fresno. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $52,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $7,000/year in Fresno.

How do Bismarck and Fresno 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). Fresno averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Fresno

Bismarck averages $4,000/year less for private school (62% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $52,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Fresno	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$10,500/yr	-$4,000
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$7,000/yr	-$2,400
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$19,500/yr	-$6,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$8,600/yr	-$3,100
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$10,500/yr	-$4,000
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$12,900/yr	-$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Fresno

$136,500

Choosing Bismarck saves $52,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $104,000.

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

Fresno

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$10,800/yr

Central High School (Fresno) (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Bullard Talent School

Magnet (Free) · K–8

Fresno Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$11,400/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Fresno 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.