Is private school cheaper in Billings or Columbia?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. That's $600/year less, or $7,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $600/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $7,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $5,900/year in Columbia.

How do Billings and Columbia 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). Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Columbia

Billings averages $600/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $7,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$8,300/yr	-$600
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$5,900/yr	-$700
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$19,500/yr	-$4,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$7,100/yr	-$600
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$8,300/yr	-$600
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$10,000/yr	-$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Columbia

$107,900

Choosing Billings saves $7,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $15,600.

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

Columbia

Columbia Independent School

Independent · PK–8 · $12,800/yr

Calvary Lutheran School (Columbia MO)

Lutheran · PK–8 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Montana private school costs Missouri 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.