Is private school cheaper in Fargo or Santa Clarita?

Fargo has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. That's $11,500/year less, or $149,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fargo is $11,500/year less than Santa Clarita. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $149,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Fargo, $11,700/year in Santa Clarita.

How do Fargo and Santa Clarita 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). Santa Clarita averages $18,000/year ($5,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Fargo vs Santa Clarita

Fargo averages $11,500/year less for private school (177% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $149,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Fargo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $18,000/year in Santa Clarita. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Santa Clarita

$18,000

avg tuition/year

$5,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fargo	Santa Clarita	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$18,000/yr	-$11,500
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$11,700/yr	-$7,100
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$35,100/yr	-$22,300
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$15,300/yr	-$9,800
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$18,000/yr	-$11,500
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$21,600/yr	-$13,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fargo

$84,500

Santa Clarita

$234,000

Choosing Fargo saves $149,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $299,000.

Sample Schools

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Santa Clarita

The Masters School (Santa Clarita)

Christian · K–12 · $14,800/yr

West Ranch Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Fargo breakdown → Full Santa Clarita breakdown →

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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.