Is private school cheaper in Billings or Boise?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $8,000/year in Boise. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $300/year less than Boise. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $5,500/year in Boise.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Billings averages $7,700/year ($4,650 below average). Boise averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Boise

Billings averages $300/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $8,000/year in Boise. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Boise

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Boise	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$8,000/yr	-$300
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$5,500/yr	-$300
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$15,500/yr	-$600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$6,800/yr	-$300
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$8,000/yr	-$300
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$9,600/yr	-$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Boise

$104,000

Choosing Billings saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Billings

Billings Central Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Eagle Mount Academy (Billings)

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

Boise

The Ambrose School (Boise)

Christian Classical · PK–12 · $12,200-$14,800/yr

Boise Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Boise breakdown →

Montana private school costs Idaho 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.