Is private school cheaper in Billings or Sacramento?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. That's $8,300/year less, or $107,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $8,300/year less than Sacramento. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $107,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $9,800/year in Sacramento.

How do Billings and Sacramento 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). Sacramento averages $16,000/year ($3,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Sacramento

Billings averages $8,300/year less for private school (108% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $107,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $16,000/year in Sacramento. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Sacramento

$16,000

avg tuition/year

$3,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Sacramento	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$16,000/yr	-$8,300
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$9,800/yr	-$4,600
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$28,500/yr	-$13,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$13,000/yr	-$6,500
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$16,000/yr	-$8,300
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$19,800/yr	-$10,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Sacramento

$208,000

Choosing Billings saves $107,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $215,800.

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

Sacramento

Sacramento Country Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $29,800-$32,400/yr

Christian Brothers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Jesuit High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

St. Francis High School (Sacramento)

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,200/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Sacramento 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.