Is private school cheaper in Fargo or Lafayette?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $6,500/year in Fargo. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lafayette is $300/year less than Fargo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Fargo, $4,600/year in Lafayette.

How do Fargo and Lafayette 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). Lafayette averages $6,200/year ($6,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Fargo vs Lafayette

Lafayette averages $300/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

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

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fargo

$84,500

Lafayette

$80,600

Choosing Lafayette saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Fargo breakdown → Full Lafayette breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Louisiana 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.