Is private school cheaper in Colorado Springs or Missoula?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $13,100/year in Colorado Springs. That's $5,100/year less, or $66,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $5,100/year less than Colorado Springs. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $66,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,500/year in Colorado Springs, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Colorado Springs averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Colorado Springs vs Missoula

Missoula averages $5,100/year less for private school (64% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $66,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $13,100/year in Colorado Springs. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Colorado Springs

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Colorado Springs	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$8,000/yr	+$5,100
Religious Schools	$8,500/yr	$5,400/yr	+$3,100
Independent/Prep	$25,700/yr	$15,500/yr	+$10,200
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$6,800/yr	+$4,300
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$8,000/yr	+$5,100
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$9,600/yr	+$6,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Colorado Springs

$170,300

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Missoula saves $66,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $132,600.

Sample Schools

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$14,400/yr

Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $12,800/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 Colorado Springs breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

Colorado 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.