Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Pasadena?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $11,200/year in Pasadena. That's $4,700/year less, or $61,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $4,700/year less than Pasadena. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $61,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $7,600/year in Pasadena.

How do Bismarck and Pasadena 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). Pasadena averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Pasadena

Bismarck averages $4,700/year less for private school (72% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $61,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $11,200/year in Pasadena. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Pasadena

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Pasadena	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$11,200/yr	-$4,700
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$7,600/yr	-$3,000
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$23,700/yr	-$10,900
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$9,500/yr	-$4,000
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$11,200/yr	-$4,700
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$13,400/yr	-$5,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Pasadena

$145,600

Choosing Bismarck saves $61,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $122,200.

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

Pasadena

San Jacinto Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Blessed Sacrament School (Pasadena)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,400/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Pasadena breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Texas 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.