Is private school cheaper in Billings or Clearwater?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $10,200/year in Clearwater. That's $2,500/year less, or $32,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $2,500/year less than Clearwater. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $32,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $7,100/year in Clearwater.

How do Billings and Clearwater 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). Clearwater averages $10,200/year ($2,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Clearwater

Billings averages $2,500/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $32,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $10,200/year in Clearwater. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Clearwater

$10,200

avg tuition/year

$2,150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Clearwater	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$10,200/yr	-$2,500
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$7,100/yr	-$1,900
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$21,100/yr	-$6,200
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$8,700/yr	-$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$10,200/yr	-$2,500
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$12,200/yr	-$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Clearwater

$132,600

Choosing Billings saves $32,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $65,000.

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

Clearwater

Calvary Christian Academy (Clearwater)

Christian · PK–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,200/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Clearwater breakdown →

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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.