Is private school cheaper in Baltimore or Missoula?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. That's $10,500/year less, or $136,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $10,500/year less than Baltimore. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $136,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $10,800/year in Baltimore, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Baltimore averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Baltimore vs Missoula

Missoula averages $10,500/year less for private school (131% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $136,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $18,500/year in Baltimore. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Baltimore

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Baltimore	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,500/yr	$8,000/yr	+$10,500
Religious Schools	$10,800/yr	$5,400/yr	+$5,400
Independent/Prep	$34,000/yr	$15,500/yr	+$18,500
Elementary (K-5)	$15,200/yr	$6,800/yr	+$8,400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,500/yr	$8,000/yr	+$10,500
High School (9-12)	$23,000/yr	$9,600/yr	+$13,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Baltimore

$240,500

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Missoula saves $136,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $273,000.

Sample Schools

Baltimore

Gilman School

Independent · K–12 · $38,200-$40,800/yr

Roland Park Country School

Independent · K–12 · $36,800/yr

Calvert Hall College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr

Loyola Blakefield

Catholic · 6–12 · $24,800/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 Baltimore breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

Maryland 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.