Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Riverside?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. That's $8,400/year less, or $109,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $8,400/year less than Riverside. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $109,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $9,700/year in Riverside.

How do Bismarck and Riverside 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). Riverside averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Riverside

Bismarck averages $8,400/year less for private school (129% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $109,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $14,900/year in Riverside. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Riverside

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Riverside	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$14,900/yr	-$8,400
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$9,700/yr	-$5,100
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$29,000/yr	-$16,200
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$12,700/yr	-$7,200
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$14,900/yr	-$8,400
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$17,900/yr	-$10,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Riverside

$193,700

Choosing Bismarck saves $109,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $218,400.

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

Riverside

Notre Dame High School (Riverside)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Riverside Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Riverside breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs California 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.