PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Charlotte vs Fargo

Fargo averages $7,000/year less for private school (108% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $91,000 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Charlotte

NC

$13,500

avg tuition/year

$1,150 above national avg

Fargo

ND

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg
Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Charlotte Fargo Difference
All Schools (Average) $13,500/yr $6,500/yr +$7,000
Religious Schools $8,400/yr $4,600/yr +$3,800
Independent/Prep $25,000/yr $12,800/yr +$12,200
Elementary (K-5) $11,000/yr $5,500/yr +$5,500
Middle School (6-8) $13,500/yr $6,500/yr +$7,000
High School (9-12) $16,700/yr $7,800/yr +$8,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charlotte

$175,500

Fargo

$84,500

Choosing Fargo saves $91,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $182,000.

Sample Schools

Charlotte

Charlotte Latin School

Independent · K–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Providence Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

Myers Park Traditional School

Magnet (Free) · K–12

Charlotte Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/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.