Is private school cheaper in Billings or Columbus?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $4,800/year less, or $62,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $4,800/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $62,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $8,000/year in Columbus.

How do Billings and Columbus 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). Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Columbus

Billings averages $4,800/year less for private school (62% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Columbus	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$12,500/yr	-$4,800
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$8,000/yr	-$2,800
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$23,500/yr	-$8,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$10,200/yr	-$3,700
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$12,500/yr	-$4,800
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$15,500/yr	-$6,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Columbus

$162,500

Choosing Billings saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.

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

Columbus

Columbus School for Girls

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Columbus Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $24,200-$26,800/yr

DeSales High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Watterson Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Columbus breakdown →

Montana private school costs Ohio private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati → Minneapolis vs Columbus →

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.