Is private school cheaper in Billings or Cedar Rapids?

Cedar Rapids has lower average private school tuition at $6,800/year vs $7,700/year in Billings. That's $900/year less, or $11,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Cedar Rapids is $900/year less than Billings. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $11,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $4,800/year in Cedar Rapids.

How do Billings and Cedar Rapids 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). Cedar Rapids averages $6,800/year ($5,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids averages $900/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Cedar Rapids is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,800/year vs $7,700/year in Billings. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Cedar Rapids

$6,800

avg tuition/year

$5,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Cedar Rapids	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$6,800/yr	+$900
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$4,800/yr	+$400
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$14,300/yr	+$600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$5,800/yr	+$700
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$6,800/yr	+$900
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$8,200/yr	+$1,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Cedar Rapids

$88,400

Choosing Cedar Rapids saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.

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

Cedar Rapids

Xavier High School (Cedar Rapids)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,400/yr

Cedar Rapids Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Cedar Rapids breakdown →

Montana private school costs Iowa 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.