Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Sunnyvale?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $15,100/year less, or $196,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $15,100/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $196,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $14,100/year in Sunnyvale.

How do Bismarck and Sunnyvale 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). Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Sunnyvale

Bismarck averages $15,100/year less for private school (232% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $196,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Sunnyvale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$21,600/yr	-$15,100
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$14,100/yr	-$9,500
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$42,100/yr	-$29,300
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$18,400/yr	-$12,900
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$21,600/yr	-$15,100
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$25,900/yr	-$18,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Choosing Bismarck saves $196,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $392,600.

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

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Sunnyvale 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.