Is private school cheaper in Dayton or Missoula?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $8,100/year in Dayton. That's $100/year less, or $1,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $100/year less than Dayton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $1,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Dayton, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Dayton averages $8,100/year ($4,250 below average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Dayton vs Missoula

Missoula averages $100/year less for private school (1% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $1,300 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Dayton

$8,100

avg tuition/year

$4,250 below national avg

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Dayton	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,100/yr	$8,000/yr	+$100
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$5,400/yr	+$300
Independent/Prep	$18,700/yr	$15,500/yr	+$3,200
Elementary (K-5)	$6,900/yr	$6,800/yr	+$100
Middle School (6-8)	$8,100/yr	$8,000/yr	+$100
High School (9-12)	$9,700/yr	$9,600/yr	+$100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Dayton

$105,300

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Missoula saves $1,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $2,600.

Sample Schools

Dayton

Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,400/yr

Dayton Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$12,000/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 Dayton breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

Ohio 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.