Is private school cheaper in Lakeland or Missoula?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $9,600/year in Lakeland. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $1,600/year less than Lakeland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,600/year in Lakeland, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lakeland averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Lakeland vs Missoula

Missoula averages $1,600/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $9,600/year in Lakeland. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Lakeland

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakeland	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,600/yr	$8,000/yr	+$1,600
Religious Schools	$6,600/yr	$5,400/yr	+$1,200
Independent/Prep	$19,800/yr	$15,500/yr	+$4,300
Elementary (K-5)	$8,200/yr	$6,800/yr	+$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$9,600/yr	$8,000/yr	+$1,600
High School (9-12)	$11,500/yr	$9,600/yr	+$1,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakeland

$124,800

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Missoula saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

Sample Schools

Lakeland

All Saints Academy (Lakeland)

Catholic · PK–12 · $13,800/yr

Victory Christian School (Lakeland)

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

Florida 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.