Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Minneapolis?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. That's $8,500/year less, or $110,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $8,500/year less than Minneapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $110,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $9,200/year in Minneapolis.

How do Bismarck and Minneapolis 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). Minneapolis averages $15,000/year ($2,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Minneapolis

Bismarck averages $8,500/year less for private school (131% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $110,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Minneapolis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$15,000/yr	-$8,500
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$9,200/yr	-$4,600
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$27,500/yr	-$14,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$12,200/yr	-$6,700
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$15,000/yr	-$8,500
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$18,500/yr	-$10,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Minneapolis

$195,000

Choosing Bismarck saves $110,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $221,000.

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

Minneapolis

Blake School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800-$37,200/yr

Breck School

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Minnehaha Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $16,200-$17,800/yr

De La Salle High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Minneapolis breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Minnesota private school costs

Related Comparisons

Minneapolis vs Columbus →

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.