Is private school cheaper in Billings or Plano?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $12,800/year in Plano. That's $5,100/year less, or $66,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $5,100/year less than Plano. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $66,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $8,700/year in Plano.

How do Billings and Plano 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). Plano averages $12,800/year ($450 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Plano

Billings averages $5,100/year less for private school (66% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $66,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $12,800/year in Plano. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Plano

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Plano	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$12,800/yr	-$5,100
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$8,700/yr	-$3,500
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$27,100/yr	-$12,200
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$10,900/yr	-$4,400
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$12,800/yr	-$5,100
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$15,400/yr	-$6,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Plano

$166,400

Choosing Billings saves $66,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $132,600.

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

Plano

Prestonwood Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Parish Episcopal School (Plano)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

St. Mark the Evangelist School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Plano breakdown →

Montana private school costs Texas 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.