Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Hartford?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. That's $21,500/year less, or $279,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $21,500/year less than Hartford. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $279,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $15,800/year in Hartford.

How do Bismarck and Hartford 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). Hartford averages $28,000/year ($15,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Hartford

Bismarck averages $21,500/year less for private school (331% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $279,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $28,000/year in Hartford. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Hartford

$28,000

avg tuition/year

$15,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Hartford	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$28,000/yr	-$21,500
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$15,800/yr	-$11,200
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$44,500/yr	-$31,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$22,800/yr	-$17,300
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$28,000/yr	-$21,500
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$35,000/yr	-$27,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Hartford

$364,000

Choosing Bismarck saves $279,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $559,000.

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

Hartford

Kingswood Oxford School

Independent · 6–12 · $44,800-$47,200/yr

Loomis Chaffee School

Independent (Day) · 9–12 · $48,200/yr

Watkinson School

Independent · 6–12 · $36,800/yr

Northwest Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Hartford breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Connecticut 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.