Is private school cheaper in Billings or Fremont?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $20,100/year in Fremont. That's $12,400/year less, or $161,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $12,400/year less than Fremont. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $161,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $13,100/year in Fremont.

How do Billings and Fremont 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). Fremont averages $20,100/year ($7,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Fremont

Billings averages $12,400/year less for private school (161% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $161,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $20,100/year in Fremont. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Fremont

$20,100

avg tuition/year

$7,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Fremont	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$20,100/yr	-$12,400
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$13,100/yr	-$7,900
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$39,000/yr	-$24,100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$17,100/yr	-$10,600
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$20,100/yr	-$12,400
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$24,100/yr	-$14,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Fremont

$261,300

Choosing Billings saves $161,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $322,400.

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

Fremont

Mission San Jose High School (Private)

Independent · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Fremont Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $14,800-$17,200/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Fremont 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.