Is private school cheaper in Billings or Lincoln?

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

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

Average tuition in Lincoln is $500/year less than Billings. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $5,000/year in Lincoln.

How do Billings and Lincoln 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). Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Lincoln

Lincoln averages $500/year less for private school (7% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $7,700/year in Billings. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Lincoln	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$7,200/yr	+$500
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$5,000/yr	+$200
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$15,600/yr	-$700
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$6,100/yr	+$400
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$7,200/yr	+$500
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$8,600/yr	+$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Lincoln

$93,600

Choosing Lincoln saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

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

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Lincoln breakdown →

Montana private school costs Nebraska 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.