Is private school cheaper in Fargo or Frederick?

Fargo has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $10,200/year less, or $132,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fargo is $10,200/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $132,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Fargo, $11,300/year in Frederick.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fargo averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average). Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Fargo vs Frederick

Fargo averages $10,200/year less for private school (157% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $132,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Fargo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fargo	Frederick	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$16,700/yr	-$10,200
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$11,300/yr	-$6,700
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$35,100/yr	-$22,300
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$14,200/yr	-$8,700
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$16,700/yr	-$10,200
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$20,000/yr	-$12,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fargo

$84,500

Frederick

$217,100

Choosing Fargo saves $132,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $265,200.

Sample Schools

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/yr

Full Fargo breakdown → Full Frederick breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Maryland 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.