Is private school cheaper in Billings or San Francisco?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. That's $26,500/year less, or $344,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $26,500/year less than San Francisco. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $344,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $16,000/year in San Francisco.

How do Billings and San Francisco 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). San Francisco averages $34,200/year ($21,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs San Francisco

Billings averages $26,500/year less for private school (344% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $344,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

San Francisco

$34,200

avg tuition/year

$21,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	San Francisco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$34,200/yr	-$26,500
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$16,000/yr	-$10,800
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$52,000/yr	-$37,100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$28,000/yr	-$21,500
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$34,200/yr	-$26,500
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$42,000/yr	-$32,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

San Francisco

$444,600

Choosing Billings saves $344,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $689,000.

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

San Francisco

San Francisco University High School

Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr

The Urban School of San Francisco

Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr

Katherine Delmar Burke School

Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr

St. Ignatius College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full San Francisco breakdown →

Montana private school costs California private school costs

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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.