Is private school cheaper in Fargo or Meridian?

Fargo has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $7,800/year in Meridian. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fargo is $1,300/year less than Meridian. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Fargo, $5,300/year in Meridian.

How do Fargo and Meridian 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). Meridian averages $7,800/year ($4,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Fargo vs Meridian

Fargo averages $1,300/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Fargo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $7,800/year in Meridian. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Meridian

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fargo	Meridian	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$7,800/yr	-$1,300
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$5,300/yr	-$700
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$15,100/yr	-$2,300
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$6,600/yr	-$1,100
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$7,800/yr	-$1,300
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fargo

$84,500

Meridian

$101,400

Choosing Fargo saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

Sample Schools

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Meridian

Nampa Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Victory Charter School (Meridian)

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Fargo breakdown → Full Meridian breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Idaho 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.