Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Stockton?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $13,800/year in Stockton. That's $7,300/year less, or $94,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $7,300/year less than Stockton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $94,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $9,000/year in Stockton.

How do Bismarck and Stockton 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). Stockton averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Stockton

Bismarck averages $7,300/year less for private school (112% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $94,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $13,800/year in Stockton. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Stockton

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Stockton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$13,800/yr	-$7,300
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$9,000/yr	-$4,400
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$26,800/yr	-$14,000
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$11,700/yr	-$6,200
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$13,800/yr	-$7,300
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$16,600/yr	-$8,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Stockton

$179,400

Choosing Bismarck saves $94,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $189,800.

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

Stockton

St. Mary's High School (Stockton)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Stockton Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $8,600-$10,200/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Stockton 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.