Is private school cheaper in Columbia or Missoula?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. That's $200/year less, or $2,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $200/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $2,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,000/year in Columbia, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Columbia averages $8,200/year ($4,150 below average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbia vs Missoula

Missoula averages $200/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $2,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $8,200/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Columbia

$8,200

avg tuition/year

$4,150 below national avg

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbia	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,200/yr	$8,000/yr	+$200
Religious Schools	$6,000/yr	$5,400/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$17,000/yr	$15,500/yr	+$1,500
Elementary (K-5)	$7,000/yr	$6,800/yr	+$200
Middle School (6-8)	$8,200/yr	$8,000/yr	+$200
High School (9-12)	$9,800/yr	$9,600/yr	+$200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbia

$106,600

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Missoula saves $2,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $5,200.

Sample Schools

Columbia

Hammond School (Columbia SC)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Cardinal Newman School (Columbia SC)

Catholic · PK–12 · $11,200/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 Columbia breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

South Carolina 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.