Is private school cheaper in Billings or Seattle?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $16,800/year less, or $218,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $16,800/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $218,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $13,200/year in Seattle.

How do Billings and Seattle 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). Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Seattle

Billings averages $16,800/year less for private school (218% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $218,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Seattle	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$24,500/yr	-$16,800
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$13,200/yr	-$8,000
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$38,000/yr	-$23,100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$20,000/yr	-$13,500
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$24,500/yr	-$16,800
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$30,500/yr	-$21,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Seattle

$318,500

Choosing Billings saves $218,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $436,800.

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

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Seattle breakdown →

Montana private school costs Washington 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.