Private School Cost: Chicago vs Missoula
Missoula averages $10,400/year less for private school (130% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $135,200 per child.
Bottom Line
Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.
Chicago
IL
$18,400
avg tuition/year
Missoula
MT
$8,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Chicago | Missoula | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $18,400/yr | $8,000/yr | +$10,400 |
| Religious Schools | $10,200/yr | $5,400/yr | +$4,800 |
| Independent/Prep | $32,000/yr | $15,500/yr | +$16,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $15,000/yr | $6,800/yr | +$8,200 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $18,400/yr | $8,000/yr | +$10,400 |
| High School (9-12) | $22,800/yr | $9,600/yr | +$13,200 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Chicago
$239,200
Missoula
$104,000
Choosing Missoula saves $135,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $270,400.
Sample Schools
Chicago
Latin School of Chicago
Independent · JK–12 · $38,040/yr
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Independent · N–12 · $35,700-$38,200/yr
Francis W. Parker School
Independent · JK–12 · $36,800/yr
St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)
Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/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.