Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Irvine?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $13,900/year less, or $180,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $13,900/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $180,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $13,300/year in Irvine.

How do Bismarck and Irvine 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). Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Irvine

Bismarck averages $13,900/year less for private school (214% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $180,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Irvine	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$20,400/yr	-$13,900
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$13,300/yr	-$8,700
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$39,700/yr	-$26,900
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$17,300/yr	-$11,800
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$20,400/yr	-$13,900
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$16,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Irvine

$265,200

Choosing Bismarck saves $180,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $361,400.

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

Irvine

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $45,200/yr

Woodbridge Village Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $16,800/yr

Our Lady Queen of Angels School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,400-$12,200/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Irvine breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs California private school costs

Related Comparisons

Irvine vs Los Angeles →

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.