Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Billings?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $10,900/year less, or $141,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Billings over Bellevue?

Average tuition in Billings is $10,900/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $141,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $5,200/year in Billings.

How do Bellevue and Billings private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Billings averages $7,700/year ($4,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Billings

Billings averages $10,900/year less for private school (142% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $141,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Billings	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$7,700/yr	+$10,900
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$5,200/yr	+$7,500
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$14,900/yr	+$24,800
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$6,500/yr	+$9,300
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$7,700/yr	+$10,900
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$9,200/yr	+$13,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Billings

$100,100

Choosing Billings saves $141,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $283,400.

Sample Schools

Bellevue

The Overlake School

Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr

Bellevue Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Billings

Billings Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Eagle Mount Academy (Billings)

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full Billings breakdown →

Washington private school costs Montana 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.