Is private school cheaper in Billings or Charleston?

Charleston has lower average private school tuition at $6,400/year vs $7,700/year in Billings. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Charleston is $1,300/year less than Billings. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $4,600/year in Charleston.

How do Billings and Charleston 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). Charleston averages $6,400/year ($5,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Charleston

Charleston averages $1,300/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Charleston is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,400/year vs $7,700/year in Billings. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Charleston

$6,400

avg tuition/year

$5,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Charleston	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$6,400/yr	+$1,300
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$4,600/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$12,800/yr	+$2,100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$5,400/yr	+$1,100
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$6,400/yr	+$1,300
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$7,700/yr	+$1,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Charleston

$83,200

Choosing Charleston saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

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

Charleston

Charleston Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Liberty Christian Academy (Charleston WV)

Christian · K–12 · $7,800-$9,800/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Charleston breakdown →

Montana private school costs West Virginia 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.