Is private school cheaper in Fargo or Madison?

Fargo has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. That's $2,800/year less, or $36,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fargo is $2,800/year less than Madison. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $36,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Fargo, $6,300/year in Madison.

How do Fargo and Madison 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). Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Fargo vs Madison

Fargo averages $2,800/year less for private school (43% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $36,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Fargo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fargo	Madison	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$9,300/yr	-$2,800
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$6,300/yr	-$1,700
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$21,100/yr	-$8,300
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$7,900/yr	-$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$9,300/yr	-$2,800
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$11,200/yr	-$3,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fargo

$84,500

Madison

$120,900

Choosing Fargo saves $36,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $72,800.

Sample Schools

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Madison

Edgewood Campus School

Catholic · PK–8 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Fargo breakdown → Full Madison breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Wisconsin 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.