Is private school cheaper in Billings or Lafayette?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $7,700/year in Billings. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lafayette is $1,500/year less than Billings. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $4,600/year in Lafayette.

How do Billings and Lafayette 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). Lafayette averages $6,200/year ($6,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Lafayette

Lafayette averages $1,500/year less for private school (24% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $7,700/year in Billings. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Lafayette	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$6,200/yr	+$1,500
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$4,600/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$14,900/yr	Same
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$5,300/yr	+$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$6,200/yr	+$1,500
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$7,400/yr	+$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Lafayette

$80,600

Choosing Lafayette saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

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

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Lafayette breakdown →

Montana private school costs Louisiana 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.