Is private school cheaper in Fargo or Phoenix?

Fargo has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. That's $6,900/year less, or $89,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fargo is $6,900/year less than Phoenix. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $89,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Fargo, $8,600/year in Phoenix.

How do Fargo and Phoenix 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). Phoenix averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Fargo vs Phoenix

Fargo averages $6,900/year less for private school (106% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $89,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Fargo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $13,400/year in Phoenix. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Phoenix

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fargo	Phoenix	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$13,400/yr	-$6,900
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$8,600/yr	-$4,000
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$24,500/yr	-$11,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$11,000/yr	-$5,500
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$13,400/yr	-$6,900
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$16,500/yr	-$8,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fargo

$84,500

Phoenix

$174,200

Choosing Fargo saves $89,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $179,400.

Sample Schools

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Phoenix

Brophy College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Xavier College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Scottsdale Preparatory Academy

Independent · 6–12 · $12,800-$14,200/yr

Notre Dame Preparatory High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Fargo breakdown → Full Phoenix breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Arizona private school costs

Related Comparisons

Denver vs Phoenix → San Francisco vs Phoenix → Boston vs Phoenix → Los Angeles vs Phoenix →

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.