Is private school cheaper in Fargo or Pittsburgh?

Fargo has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. That's $5,700/year less, or $74,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fargo is $5,700/year less than Pittsburgh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $74,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Fargo, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

How do Fargo and Pittsburgh 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). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Fargo vs Pittsburgh

Fargo averages $5,700/year less for private school (88% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $74,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Fargo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fargo	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$12,200/yr	-$5,700
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$7,800/yr	-$3,200
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$22,800/yr	-$10,000
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$10,000/yr	-$4,500
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$12,200/yr	-$5,700
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$15,000/yr	-$7,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fargo

$84,500

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Fargo saves $74,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $148,200.

Sample Schools

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Pittsburgh

Shady Side Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $27,800-$29,400/yr

Winchester Thurston School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,200-$27,600/yr

Central Catholic High School (Pittsburgh)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

North Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,800/yr

Full Fargo breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Pennsylvania 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.