Is private school cheaper in Billings or Sparks?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $11,200/year in Sparks. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $3,500/year less than Sparks. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $7,800/year in Sparks.

How do Billings and Sparks 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). Sparks averages $11,200/year ($1,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Sparks

Billings averages $3,500/year less for private school (45% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $11,200/year in Sparks. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Sparks

$11,200

avg tuition/year

$1,150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Sparks	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$11,200/yr	-$3,500
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$7,800/yr	-$2,600
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$22,500/yr	-$7,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$9,500/yr	-$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$11,200/yr	-$3,500
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$13,400/yr	-$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Sparks

$145,600

Choosing Billings saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

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

Sparks

Coral Academy of Science (Sparks)

Independent · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr

St. Albert School (Sparks)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Sparks breakdown →

Montana private school costs Nevada 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.