Is private school cheaper in Columbus or Missoula?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. That's $4,500/year less, or $58,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $4,500/year less than Columbus. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $58,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,000/year in Columbus, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Columbus averages $12,500/year ($150 above average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Columbus vs Missoula

Missoula averages $4,500/year less for private school (56% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $58,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $12,500/year in Columbus. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Columbus

$12,500

avg tuition/year

$150 above national avg

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Columbus	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,500/yr	$8,000/yr	+$4,500
Religious Schools	$8,000/yr	$5,400/yr	+$2,600
Independent/Prep	$23,500/yr	$15,500/yr	+$8,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$6,800/yr	+$3,400
Middle School (6-8)	$12,500/yr	$8,000/yr	+$4,500
High School (9-12)	$15,500/yr	$9,600/yr	+$5,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Columbus

$162,500

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Missoula saves $58,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $117,000.

Sample Schools

Columbus

Columbus School for Girls

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400-$24,800/yr

Columbus Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $24,200-$26,800/yr

DeSales High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Watterson Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/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

Full Columbus breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

Ohio private school costs Montana private school costs

Related Comparisons

Chicago vs Columbus → Columbus vs Cincinnati → Minneapolis vs Columbus →

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.