Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or New Orleans?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. That's $5,300/year less, or $68,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $5,300/year less than New Orleans. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $68,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $7,600/year in New Orleans.

How do Bismarck and New Orleans 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). New Orleans averages $11,800/year ($550 below average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs New Orleans

Bismarck averages $5,300/year less for private school (82% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $68,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $11,800/year in New Orleans. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

New Orleans

$11,800

avg tuition/year

$550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	New Orleans	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$11,800/yr	-$5,300
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$7,600/yr	-$3,000
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$22,000/yr	-$9,200
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$9,600/yr	-$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$11,800/yr	-$5,300
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$14,600/yr	-$6,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

New Orleans

$153,400

Choosing Bismarck saves $68,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $137,800.

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

New Orleans

Tulane-affiliated University Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $21,400-$23,800/yr

Jesuit High School New Orleans

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,400/yr

Ursuline Academy (New Orleans)

Catholic · 6–12 · $13,200/yr

Brother Martin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full New Orleans breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Louisiana 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.