Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Tulsa?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $7,000/year in Tulsa. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $500/year less than Tulsa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $5,100/year in Tulsa.

How do Bismarck and Tulsa 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). Tulsa averages $7,000/year ($5,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Tulsa

Bismarck averages $500/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $7,000/year in Tulsa. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tulsa

$7,000

avg tuition/year

$5,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Tulsa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$7,000/yr	-$500
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$5,100/yr	-$500
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$14,500/yr	-$1,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$6,000/yr	-$500
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$7,000/yr	-$500
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$8,400/yr	-$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Tulsa

$91,000

Choosing Bismarck saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

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

Tulsa

Holland Hall (Tulsa)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Bishop Kelley High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Tulsa breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Oklahoma 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.