Is private school cheaper in Billings or Orange County?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $13,100/year less, or $170,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $13,100/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $170,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $11,200/year in Orange County.

How do Billings and Orange County 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). Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Orange County

Billings averages $13,100/year less for private school (170% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $170,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$20,800/yr	-$13,100
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$11,200/yr	-$6,000
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$34,800/yr	-$19,900
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$17,000/yr	-$10,500
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$20,800/yr	-$13,100
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$25,500/yr	-$16,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Orange County

$270,400

Choosing Billings saves $170,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $340,600.

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

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Orange County 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.