Is private school cheaper in Fargo or Santa Rosa?

Fargo has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. That's $11,100/year less, or $144,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fargo is $11,100/year less than Santa Rosa. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $144,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Fargo, $11,400/year in Santa Rosa.

How do Fargo and Santa Rosa 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 Rosa averages $17,600/year ($5,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Fargo vs Santa Rosa

Fargo averages $11,100/year less for private school (171% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $144,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Fargo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $17,600/year in Santa Rosa. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Santa Rosa

$17,600

avg tuition/year

$5,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fargo	Santa Rosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$17,600/yr	-$11,100
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$11,400/yr	-$6,800
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$34,200/yr	-$21,400
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$15,000/yr	-$9,500
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$17,600/yr	-$11,100
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$21,100/yr	-$13,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fargo

$84,500

Santa Rosa

$228,800

Choosing Fargo saves $144,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $288,600.

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 Rosa

Cardinal Newman High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Rincon Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Full Fargo breakdown → Full Santa Rosa breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs California 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.