Is private school cheaper in Billings or Chula Vista?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $17,200/year in Chula Vista. That's $9,500/year less, or $123,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $9,500/year less than Chula Vista. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $123,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $11,200/year in Chula Vista.

How do Billings and Chula Vista 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). Chula Vista averages $17,200/year ($4,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Chula Vista

Billings averages $9,500/year less for private school (123% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $123,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $17,200/year in Chula Vista. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Chula Vista

$17,200

avg tuition/year

$4,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Chula Vista	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$17,200/yr	-$9,500
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$11,200/yr	-$6,000
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$33,600/yr	-$18,700
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$14,600/yr	-$8,100
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$17,200/yr	-$9,500
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$20,600/yr	-$11,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Chula Vista

$223,600

Choosing Billings saves $123,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $247,000.

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

Chula Vista

Mater Dei Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,600/yr

Olympian High School (Private)

Independent · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Chula Vista breakdown →

Montana private school costs California 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.