Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Missoula?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $8,000/year in Missoula. That's $400/year less, or $5,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $400/year less than Missoula. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $5,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Birmingham averages $7,600/year ($4,750 below average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Missoula

Birmingham averages $400/year less for private school (5% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $5,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $8,000/year in Missoula. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$8,000/yr	-$400
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$5,400/yr	+$300
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$15,500/yr	Same
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$6,800/yr	-$300
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$8,000/yr	-$400
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$9,600/yr	-$500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Birmingham saves $5,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $10,400.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $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 Birmingham breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

Alabama 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.