Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has lower average private school tuition at $5,900/year vs $6,500/year in Bismarck. That's $600/year less, or $7,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Sioux Falls is $600/year less than Bismarck. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $7,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $4,200/year in Sioux Falls.

How do Bismarck and Sioux Falls 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). Sioux Falls averages $5,900/year ($6,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls averages $600/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $7,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Sioux Falls is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,900/year vs $6,500/year in Bismarck. Religious schools run $4,200/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Sioux Falls

$5,900

avg tuition/year

$6,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

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

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Sioux Falls

$76,700

Choosing Sioux Falls saves $7,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $15,600.

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

Sioux Falls

O'Gorman High School (Sioux Falls)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

Sioux Falls Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Sioux Falls breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs South Dakota 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.