Is private school cheaper in Irvine or Missoula?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. That's $12,400/year less, or $161,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $12,400/year less than Irvine. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $161,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,300/year in Irvine, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Irvine averages $20,400/year ($8,050 above average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Irvine vs Missoula

Missoula averages $12,400/year less for private school (155% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $161,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $20,400/year in Irvine. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Irvine

$20,400

avg tuition/year

$8,050 above national avg

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Irvine	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$20,400/yr	$8,000/yr	+$12,400
Religious Schools	$13,300/yr	$5,400/yr	+$7,900
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$15,500/yr	+$24,200
Elementary (K-5)	$17,300/yr	$6,800/yr	+$10,500
Middle School (6-8)	$20,400/yr	$8,000/yr	+$12,400
High School (9-12)	$24,500/yr	$9,600/yr	+$14,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Irvine

$265,200

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Missoula saves $161,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $322,400.

Sample Schools

Irvine

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $45,200/yr

Woodbridge Village Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $16,800/yr

Our Lady Queen of Angels School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,400-$12,200/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 Irvine breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

California private school costs Montana private school costs

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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.