Is private school cheaper in Fresno or Missoula?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. That's $2,500/year less, or $32,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $2,500/year less than Fresno. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $32,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,000/year in Fresno, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Fresno averages $10,500/year ($1,850 below average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Fresno vs Missoula

Missoula averages $2,500/year less for private school (31% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $32,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $10,500/year in Fresno. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Fresno

$10,500

avg tuition/year

$1,850 below national avg

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Fresno	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,500/yr	$8,000/yr	+$2,500
Religious Schools	$7,000/yr	$5,400/yr	+$1,600
Independent/Prep	$19,500/yr	$15,500/yr	+$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$6,800/yr	+$1,800
Middle School (6-8)	$10,500/yr	$8,000/yr	+$2,500
High School (9-12)	$12,900/yr	$9,600/yr	+$3,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Fresno

$136,500

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Missoula saves $32,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $65,000.

Sample Schools

Fresno

Clovis Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$10,800/yr

Central High School (Fresno) (Catholic)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Bullard Talent School

Magnet (Free) · K–8

Fresno Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$11,400/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 Fresno breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

California 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.