Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Mesa?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $9,400/year in Mesa. That's $2,900/year less, or $37,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $2,900/year less than Mesa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $37,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $7,000/year in Mesa.

How do Bismarck and Mesa 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). Mesa averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Mesa

Bismarck averages $2,900/year less for private school (45% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $37,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $9,400/year in Mesa. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Mesa

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Mesa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$9,400/yr	-$2,900
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$7,000/yr	-$2,400
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$18,000/yr	-$5,200
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$8,000/yr	-$2,500
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$9,400/yr	-$2,900
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$11,300/yr	-$3,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Mesa

$122,200

Choosing Bismarck saves $37,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $75,400.

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

Mesa

Gilbert Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Mesa Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Mesa breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Arizona 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.