Private School Cost: Boston vs Missoula
Missoula averages $28,800/year less for private school (360% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $374,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $36,800/year in Boston. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.
Boston
MA
$36,800
avg tuition/year
Missoula
MT
$8,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Boston | Missoula | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $36,800/yr | $8,000/yr | +$28,800 |
| Religious Schools | $18,500/yr | $5,400/yr | +$13,100 |
| Independent/Prep | $56,000/yr | $15,500/yr | +$40,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $30,000/yr | $6,800/yr | +$23,200 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $36,800/yr | $8,000/yr | +$28,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $46,000/yr | $9,600/yr | +$36,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Boston
$478,400
Missoula
$104,000
Choosing Missoula saves $374,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $748,800.
Sample Schools
Boston
Boston Latin School (Exam)
Exam School (Public) · 7–12
Roxbury Latin School
Independent (need-based) · 7–12
Belmont Hill School
Independent · 7–12 · $59,800/yr
Boston College High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $23,100/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
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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.