Is private school cheaper in Carlsbad or Missoula?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $18,800/year in Carlsbad. That's $10,800/year less, or $140,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $10,800/year less than Carlsbad. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $140,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,200/year in Carlsbad, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Carlsbad averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Carlsbad vs Missoula

Missoula averages $10,800/year less for private school (135% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $140,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $18,800/year in Carlsbad. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Carlsbad

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Carlsbad	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$8,000/yr	+$10,800
Religious Schools	$12,200/yr	$5,400/yr	+$6,800
Independent/Prep	$36,600/yr	$15,500/yr	+$21,100
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$6,800/yr	+$9,200
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$8,000/yr	+$10,800
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$9,600/yr	+$13,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Carlsbad

$244,400

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Missoula saves $140,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $280,800.

Sample Schools

Carlsbad

Army Navy Academy (Carlsbad)

Independent (Military) · 7–12 · $47,500-$52,000/yr

Pacific Ridge School

Independent · 6–12 · $34,200/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 Carlsbad breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

California 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.