Is private school cheaper in Billings or Erie?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. That's $4,200/year less, or $54,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $4,200/year less than Erie. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $54,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $7,700/year in Erie.

How do Billings and Erie 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). Erie averages $11,900/year ($450 below average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Erie

Billings averages $4,200/year less for private school (55% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $54,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Erie	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$11,900/yr	-$4,200
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$7,700/yr	-$2,500
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$27,700/yr	-$12,800
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$10,100/yr	-$3,600
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$11,900/yr	-$4,200
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$14,300/yr	-$5,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Erie

$154,700

Choosing Billings saves $54,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $109,200.

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

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Erie breakdown →

Montana private school costs Pennsylvania 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.