Is private school cheaper in Fargo or Topeka?

Fargo has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $6,900/year in Topeka. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fargo is $400/year less than Topeka. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Fargo, $4,800/year in Topeka.

How do Fargo and Topeka 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). Topeka averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Fargo vs Topeka

Fargo averages $400/year less for private school (6% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Fargo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $6,900/year in Topeka. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Topeka

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fargo	Topeka	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$6,900/yr	-$400
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$4,800/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$14,300/yr	-$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$5,900/yr	-$400
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$6,900/yr	-$400
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$8,300/yr	-$500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fargo

$84,500

Topeka

$89,700

Choosing Fargo saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

Sample Schools

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Topeka

Topeka Collegiate School

Independent · K–8 · $12,400/yr

Hayden Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Full Fargo breakdown → Full Topeka breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs Kansas 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.