Is private school cheaper in Elgin or Fargo?

Fargo has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. That's $5,200/year less, or $67,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fargo is $5,200/year less than Elgin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $67,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,400/year in Elgin, $4,600/year in Fargo.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Elgin averages $11,700/year ($650 below average). Fargo averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average).

Private School Cost: Elgin vs Fargo

Fargo averages $5,200/year less for private school (80% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $67,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Fargo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $11,700/year in Elgin. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Elgin

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Elgin	Fargo	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,700/yr	$6,500/yr	+$5,200
Religious Schools	$7,400/yr	$4,600/yr	+$2,800
Independent/Prep	$27,100/yr	$12,800/yr	+$14,300
Elementary (K-5)	$9,900/yr	$5,500/yr	+$4,400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,700/yr	$6,500/yr	+$5,200
High School (9-12)	$14,000/yr	$7,800/yr	+$6,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Elgin

$152,100

Fargo

$84,500

Choosing Fargo saves $67,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $135,200.

Sample Schools

Elgin

Timothy Christian Schools (Elgin)

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$13,800/yr

St. Edward Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Full Elgin breakdown → Full Fargo breakdown →

Illinois 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.