Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Westminster?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $13,100/year in Westminster. That's $6,600/year less, or $85,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $6,600/year less than Westminster. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $85,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $8,500/year in Westminster.

How do Bismarck and Westminster 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). Westminster averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Westminster

Bismarck averages $6,600/year less for private school (102% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $85,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $13,100/year in Westminster. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Westminster

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Westminster	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$13,100/yr	-$6,600
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$8,500/yr	-$3,900
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$25,700/yr	-$12,900
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$11,100/yr	-$5,600
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$13,100/yr	-$6,600
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$15,700/yr	-$7,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Westminster

$170,300

Choosing Bismarck saves $85,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $171,600.

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

Westminster

Westminster Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Holy Trinity School (Westminster CO)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Full Bismarck breakdown → Full Westminster breakdown →

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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.