Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Louisville?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $11,500/year in Louisville. That's $5,000/year less, or $65,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $5,000/year less than Louisville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $65,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $7,800/year in Louisville.

How do Bismarck and Louisville 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). Louisville averages $11,500/year ($850 below average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Louisville

Bismarck averages $5,000/year less for private school (77% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $65,000 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Louisville

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Louisville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$11,500/yr	-$5,000
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$7,800/yr	-$3,200
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$21,500/yr	-$8,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$9,400/yr	-$3,900
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$11,500/yr	-$5,000
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$14,200/yr	-$6,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Louisville

$149,500

Choosing Bismarck saves $65,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $130,000.

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

Louisville

Louisville Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,200/yr

Bellarmine University Prep (Affiliated)

Reference · N/A

Male High School (Public Magnet)

Magnet (Free) · 9–12

Trinity High School (Louisville)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Louisville breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Kentucky 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.