Is private school cheaper in Bismarck or Missoula?

Bismarck has lower average private school tuition at $6,500/year vs $8,000/year in Missoula. That's $1,500/year less, or $19,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Bismarck is $1,500/year less than Missoula. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $19,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $4,600/year in Bismarck, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bismarck averages $6,500/year ($5,850 below average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Bismarck vs Missoula

Bismarck averages $1,500/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $19,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Bismarck is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,500/year vs $8,000/year in Missoula. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Bismarck

$6,500

avg tuition/year

$5,850 below national avg

Lower cost

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bismarck	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,500/yr	$8,000/yr	-$1,500
Religious Schools	$4,600/yr	$5,400/yr	-$800
Independent/Prep	$12,800/yr	$15,500/yr	-$2,700
Elementary (K-5)	$5,500/yr	$6,800/yr	-$1,300
Middle School (6-8)	$6,500/yr	$8,000/yr	-$1,500
High School (9-12)	$7,800/yr	$9,600/yr	-$1,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bismarck

$84,500

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Bismarck saves $19,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $39,000.

Sample Schools

Bismarck

Century High School Prep (Bismarck)

Independent · 9–12 · $8,800/yr

St. Mary's Central High School (Bismarck)

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,200/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 Bismarck breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

North Dakota 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.