Is private school cheaper in Billings or Philadelphia?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. That's $12,500/year less, or $162,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $12,500/year less than Philadelphia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $162,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $11,400/year in Philadelphia.

How do Billings and Philadelphia 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). Philadelphia averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Philadelphia

Billings averages $12,500/year less for private school (162% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $162,500 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Philadelphia

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Philadelphia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$20,200/yr	-$12,500
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$11,400/yr	-$6,200
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$36,000/yr	-$21,100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$16,500/yr	-$10,000
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$20,200/yr	-$12,500
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$25,000/yr	-$15,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Philadelphia

$262,600

Choosing Billings saves $162,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $325,000.

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

Philadelphia

Episcopal Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr

The Haverford School

Independent · PK–12 · $41,200/yr

Germantown Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · K–12 · $38,600/yr

La Salle College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Philadelphia breakdown →

Montana private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.