Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Surprise
Bismarck averages $3,000/year less for private school (46% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $39,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $9,500/year in Surprise. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.
Bismarck
ND
$6,500
avg tuition/year
Surprise
AZ
$9,500
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Bismarck | Surprise | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $6,500/yr | $9,500/yr | -$3,000 |
| Religious Schools | $4,600/yr | $7,100/yr | -$2,500 |
| Independent/Prep | $12,800/yr | $18,100/yr | -$5,300 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $5,500/yr | $8,100/yr | -$2,600 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $6,500/yr | $9,500/yr | -$3,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $7,800/yr | $11,400/yr | -$3,600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Bismarck
$84,500
Surprise
$123,500
Choosing Bismarck saves $39,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $78,000.
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
Surprise
Surprise Christian Academy
Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr
Holy Cross School (Surprise AZ)
Catholic · K–8 · $7,800-$9,600/yr
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.