Is private school cheaper in Fargo or Trenton?

Fargo has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. That's $10,300/year less, or $133,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fargo is $10,300/year less than Trenton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $133,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Fargo, $10,800/year in Trenton.

How do Fargo and Trenton 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). Trenton averages $16,800/year ($4,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Fargo vs Trenton

Fargo averages $10,300/year less for private school (158% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $133,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Fargo is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Fargo

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Trenton

$16,800

avg tuition/year

$4,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fargo	Trenton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$16,800/yr	-$10,300
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$10,800/yr	-$6,200
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$35,800/yr	-$23,000
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$14,300/yr	-$8,800
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$16,800/yr	-$10,300
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$20,200/yr	-$12,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fargo

$84,500

Trenton

$218,400

Choosing Fargo saves $133,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $267,800.

Sample Schools

Fargo

Shanley High School (Fargo)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Prairie Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Trenton

Notre Dame High School (Trenton NJ)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr

Trenton Catholic Academy

Catholic · K–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Fargo breakdown → Full Trenton breakdown →

North Dakota private school costs New Jersey 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.