Private School Cost: Charlotte vs Missoula
Missoula averages $5,500/year less for private school (69% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $71,500 per child.
Bottom Line
Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $13,500/year in Charlotte. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.
Charlotte
NC
$13,500
avg tuition/year
Missoula
MT
$8,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Charlotte | Missoula | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $13,500/yr | $8,000/yr | +$5,500 |
| Religious Schools | $8,400/yr | $5,400/yr | +$3,000 |
| Independent/Prep | $25,000/yr | $15,500/yr | +$9,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $11,000/yr | $6,800/yr | +$4,200 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $13,500/yr | $8,000/yr | +$5,500 |
| High School (9-12) | $16,700/yr | $9,600/yr | +$7,100 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Charlotte
$175,500
Missoula
$104,000
Choosing Missoula saves $71,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $143,000.
Sample Schools
Charlotte
Charlotte Latin School
Independent · K–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr
Providence Day School
Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr
Myers Park Traditional School
Magnet (Free) · K–12
Charlotte Catholic High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/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
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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.