Is private school cheaper in Billings or Washington DC?

Billings has lower average private school tuition at $7,700/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $20,700/year less, or $269,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Billings is $20,700/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $269,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,200/year in Billings, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Billings and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Billings vs Washington DC

Billings averages $20,700/year less for private school (269% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $269,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Billings is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,700/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $5,200/year on the low end.

Billings

$7,700

avg tuition/year

$4,650 below national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Billings	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,700/yr	$28,400/yr	-$20,700
Religious Schools	$5,200/yr	$15,200/yr	-$10,000
Independent/Prep	$14,900/yr	$46,000/yr	-$31,100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$23,000/yr	-$16,500
Middle School (6-8)	$7,700/yr	$28,400/yr	-$20,700
High School (9-12)	$9,200/yr	$35,500/yr	-$26,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Billings

$100,100

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Billings saves $269,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $538,200.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Billings breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Montana private school costs District of Columbia 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.