Is private school cheaper in Billings or St. Louis?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $5,300/year less, or $68,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Billings over St. Louis?

Average tuition in Billings is $5,300/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $68,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

How do Billings and St. Louis 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). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs St. Louis

Billings averages $5,300/year less for private school (69% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $68,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$13,000/yr	-$5,300
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$8,400/yr	-$3,200
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$24,500/yr	-$9,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$10,600/yr	-$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$13,000/yr	-$5,300
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$16,000/yr	-$6,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing Billings saves $68,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $137,800.

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

St. Louis

John Burroughs School

Independent · 7–12 · $28,400-$30,800/yr

MICDS (Mary Institute and Country Day School)

Independent · JK–12 · $30,200-$32,800/yr

Chaminade College Preparatory

Catholic · 6–12 · $16,800/yr

St. Louis University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

Montana private school costs Missouri 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.