Is private school cheaper in Billings or Centennial?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. That's $6,000/year less, or $78,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $6,000/year less than Centennial. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $78,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $8,900/year in Centennial.

How do Billings and Centennial 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). Centennial averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Centennial

Billings averages $6,000/year less for private school (78% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $78,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Centennial

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Centennial	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$13,700/yr	-$6,000
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$8,900/yr	-$3,700
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$27,000/yr	-$12,100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$11,600/yr	-$5,100
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$13,700/yr	-$6,000
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$16,400/yr	-$7,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Centennial

$178,100

Choosing Billings saves $78,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $156,000.

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

Centennial

Arapahoe Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Cherry Creek Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Centennial breakdown →

Montana private school costs Colorado 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.