Is private school cheaper in Fargo or Lakeland?

Fargo has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $9,600/year in Lakeland. That's $3,100/year less, or $40,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fargo is $3,100/year less than Lakeland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $40,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Fargo, $6,600/year in Lakeland.

How do Fargo and Lakeland 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). Lakeland averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Fargo vs Lakeland

Fargo averages $3,100/year less for private school (48% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $40,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Fargo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $9,600/year in Lakeland. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Lakeland

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fargo	Lakeland	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$9,600/yr	-$3,100
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$6,600/yr	-$2,000
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$19,800/yr	-$7,000
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$8,200/yr	-$2,700
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$9,600/yr	-$3,100
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$11,500/yr	-$3,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fargo

$84,500

Lakeland

$124,800

Choosing Fargo saves $40,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $80,600.

Sample Schools

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Lakeland

All Saints Academy (Lakeland)

Catholic · PK–12 · $13,800/yr

Victory Christian School (Lakeland)

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Fargo breakdown → Full Lakeland breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Florida 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.