Is private school cheaper in Billings or Modesto?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. That's $6,700/year less, or $87,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $6,700/year less than Modesto. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $87,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $9,400/year in Modesto.

How do Billings and Modesto 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). Modesto averages $14,400/year ($2,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Modesto

Billings averages $6,700/year less for private school (87% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $87,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $14,400/year in Modesto. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Modesto

$14,400

avg tuition/year

$2,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Modesto	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$14,400/yr	-$6,700
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$9,400/yr	-$4,200
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$28,100/yr	-$13,200
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$12,200/yr	-$5,700
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$14,400/yr	-$6,700
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$17,300/yr	-$8,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Modesto

$187,200

Choosing Billings saves $87,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $174,200.

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

Modesto

Central Catholic High School (Modesto)

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/yr

Modesto Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Modesto 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.