Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Shreveport?

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

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

Average tuition in Shreveport is $500/year less than Bismarck. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $4,500/year in Shreveport.

How do Bismarck and Shreveport 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). Shreveport averages $6,000/year ($6,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Shreveport

Shreveport averages $500/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Shreveport

$6,000

avg tuition/year

$6,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Shreveport	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$6,000/yr	+$500
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$4,500/yr	+$100
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$14,500/yr	-$1,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$5,100/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$6,000/yr	+$500
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$7,200/yr	+$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Shreveport

$78,000

Choosing Shreveport saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

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

Shreveport

Loyola College Prep (Shreveport)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Shreve Island School

Independent · PK–6 · $12,400/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Shreveport 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.