Is private school cheaper in Billings or Lowell?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $15,900/year less, or $206,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $15,900/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $206,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $12,800/year in Lowell.

How do Billings and Lowell 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). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Lowell

Billings averages $15,900/year less for private school (206% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $206,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$23,600/yr	-$15,900
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$12,800/yr	-$7,600
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$48,100/yr	-$33,200
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$20,100/yr	-$13,600
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$23,600/yr	-$15,900
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$28,300/yr	-$19,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Billings saves $206,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $413,400.

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

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

Montana private school costs Massachusetts 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.