Is private school cheaper in Fargo or Memphis?

Fargo has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $10,800/year in Memphis. That's $4,300/year less, or $55,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fargo is $4,300/year less than Memphis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $55,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Fargo, $7,200/year in Memphis.

How do Fargo and Memphis 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). Memphis averages $10,800/year ($1,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Fargo vs Memphis

Fargo averages $4,300/year less for private school (66% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $55,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Fargo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $10,800/year in Memphis. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Memphis

$10,800

avg tuition/year

$1,550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fargo	Memphis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$10,800/yr	-$4,300
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$7,200/yr	-$2,600
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$20,500/yr	-$7,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$8,800/yr	-$3,300
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$10,800/yr	-$4,300
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$13,400/yr	-$5,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fargo

$84,500

Memphis

$140,400

Choosing Fargo saves $55,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $111,800.

Sample Schools

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Memphis

Hutchison School

Independent · PK–12 · $20,800-$22,400/yr

Memphis University School

Independent · 7–12 · $18,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

St. Agnes Academy (Memphis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,200/yr

Full Fargo breakdown → Full Memphis breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Tennessee 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.