Is private school cheaper in Frederick or Missoula?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $8,700/year less, or $113,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $8,700/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $113,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Frederick, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Frederick vs Missoula

Missoula averages $8,700/year less for private school (109% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $113,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Frederick	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$16,700/yr	$8,000/yr	+$8,700
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$5,400/yr	+$5,900
Independent/Prep	$35,100/yr	$15,500/yr	+$19,600
Elementary (K-5)	$14,200/yr	$6,800/yr	+$7,400
Middle School (6-8)	$16,700/yr	$8,000/yr	+$8,700
High School (9-12)	$20,000/yr	$9,600/yr	+$10,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Frederick

$217,100

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Missoula saves $113,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $226,200.

Sample Schools

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/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 Frederick breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

Maryland 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.