Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Virginia Beach?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. That's $6,700/year less, or $87,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $6,700/year less than Virginia Beach. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $87,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $8,600/year in Virginia Beach.

How do Bismarck and Virginia Beach 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). Virginia Beach averages $13,200/year ($850 above average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Virginia Beach

Bismarck averages $6,700/year less for private school (103% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $87,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $13,200/year in Virginia Beach. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Virginia Beach

$13,200

avg tuition/year

$850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Virginia Beach	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$13,200/yr	-$6,700
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$8,600/yr	-$4,000
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$11,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$10,800/yr	-$5,300
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$13,200/yr	-$6,700
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$16,200/yr	-$8,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Virginia Beach

$171,600

Choosing Bismarck saves $87,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $174,200.

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

Virginia Beach

Norfolk Academy

Independent · 1–12 · $24,800-$27,200/yr

Cape Henry Collegiate School

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Kellam High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Virginia Beach breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Virginia 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.