Is private school cheaper in Billings or Sterling Heights?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $9,300/year in Sterling Heights. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $1,600/year less than Sterling Heights. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $6,400/year in Sterling Heights.

How do Billings and Sterling Heights 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). Sterling Heights averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Sterling Heights

Billings averages $1,600/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $9,300/year in Sterling Heights. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Sterling Heights

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Sterling Heights	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$9,300/yr	-$1,600
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$6,400/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$19,800/yr	-$4,900
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$7,900/yr	-$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$9,300/yr	-$1,600
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$11,200/yr	-$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Sterling Heights

$120,900

Choosing Billings saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

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

Sterling Heights

De La Salle Collegiate High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,800/yr

Utica Community Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Sterling Heights breakdown →

Montana private school costs Michigan 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.