Is private school cheaper in Anchorage or Missoula?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. That's $3,900/year less, or $50,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Missoula over Anchorage?

Average tuition in Missoula is $3,900/year less than Anchorage. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $50,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,900/year in Anchorage, $5,400/year in Missoula.

How do Anchorage and Missoula private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Anchorage averages $11,900/year ($450 below average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Anchorage vs Missoula

Missoula averages $3,900/year less for private school (49% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $50,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $11,900/year in Anchorage. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Anchorage

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Anchorage	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$8,000/yr	+$3,900
Religious Schools	$7,900/yr	$5,400/yr	+$2,500
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$15,500/yr	+$6,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$6,800/yr	+$3,300
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$8,000/yr	+$3,900
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$9,600/yr	+$4,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Anchorage

$154,700

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Missoula saves $50,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $101,400.

Sample Schools

Anchorage

Pacific Northern Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Holy Rosary Academy (Anchorage)

Catholic · PK–8 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Missoula

Loyola Sacred Heart High School (Missoula)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/yr

Montana Academy (Missoula area)

Independent (Therapeutic) · 9–12 · $44,800-$52,000/yr

Full Anchorage breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

Alaska private school costs Montana 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.