Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or St. Louis?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $6,500/year less, or $84,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Bismarck over St. Louis?

Average tuition in Bismarck is $6,500/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $84,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

How do Bismarck and St. Louis 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). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs St. Louis

Bismarck averages $6,500/year less for private school (100% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $84,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$13,000/yr	-$6,500
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$8,400/yr	-$3,800
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$11,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$10,600/yr	-$5,100
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$13,000/yr	-$6,500
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$16,000/yr	-$8,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing Bismarck saves $84,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $169,000.

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

St. Louis

John Burroughs School

Independent · 7–12 · $28,400-$30,800/yr

MICDS (Mary Institute and Country Day School)

Independent · JK–12 · $30,200-$32,800/yr

Chaminade College Preparatory

Catholic · 6–12 · $16,800/yr

St. Louis University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Missouri 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.