Is private school cheaper in Billings or Missoula?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $8,000/year in Missoula. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $300/year less than Missoula. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $5,400/year in Missoula.

How do Billings and Missoula 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). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Missoula

Billings averages $300/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $8,000/year in Missoula. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$8,000/yr	-$300
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$5,400/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$15,500/yr	-$600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$6,800/yr	-$300
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$8,000/yr	-$300
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$9,600/yr	-$400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Billings saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

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

Missoula

Loyola Sacred Heart High School (Missoula)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Montana Academy (Missoula area)

Independent (Therapeutic) · 9–12 · $44,800-$52,000/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

Montana 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.