Is private school cheaper in Lakewood or Missoula?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. That's $5,400/year less, or $70,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $5,400/year less than Lakewood. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $70,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,700/year in Lakewood, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lakewood averages $13,400/year ($1,050 above average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Lakewood vs Missoula

Missoula averages $5,400/year less for private school (68% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $70,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $13,400/year in Lakewood. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Lakewood

$13,400

avg tuition/year

$1,050 above national avg

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lakewood	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,400/yr	$8,000/yr	+$5,400
Religious Schools	$8,700/yr	$5,400/yr	+$3,300
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$15,500/yr	+$11,000
Elementary (K-5)	$11,400/yr	$6,800/yr	+$4,600
Middle School (6-8)	$13,400/yr	$8,000/yr	+$5,400
High School (9-12)	$16,100/yr	$9,600/yr	+$6,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lakewood

$174,200

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Missoula saves $70,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $140,400.

Sample Schools

Lakewood

Colorado Academy (Lakewood area)

Independent · PK–12 · $22,400/yr

Chatfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$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 Lakewood breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

Colorado 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.