Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Fargo?

Fargo has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Fargo over Columbia?

Average tuition in Fargo is $1,700/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $4,600/year in Fargo.

How do Columbia and Fargo private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average). Fargo averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Fargo

Fargo averages $1,700/year less for private school (26% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Fargo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Fargo	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$6,500/yr	+$1,700
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$4,600/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$12,800/yr	+$4,200
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$5,500/yr	+$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$6,500/yr	+$1,700
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$7,800/yr	+$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Fargo

$84,500

Choosing Fargo saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/yr

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Full Columbia breakdown → Full Fargo breakdown →

South Carolina private school costs North Dakota 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.