Is private school cheaper in Lincoln or Missoula?

Lincoln has lower average private school tuition at $7,200/year vs $8,000/year in Missoula. That's $800/year less, or $10,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lincoln is $800/year less than Missoula. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $10,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Lincoln, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Lincoln averages $7,200/year ($5,150 below average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Lincoln vs Missoula

Lincoln averages $800/year less for private school (11% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $10,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Lincoln is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,200/year vs $8,000/year in Missoula. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Lincoln

$7,200

avg tuition/year

$5,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Lincoln	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,200/yr	$8,000/yr	-$800
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$5,400/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$15,600/yr	$15,500/yr	+$100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,100/yr	$6,800/yr	-$700
Middle School (6-8)	$7,200/yr	$8,000/yr	-$800
High School (9-12)	$8,600/yr	$9,600/yr	-$1,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Lincoln

$93,600

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Lincoln saves $10,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $20,800.

Sample Schools

Lincoln

Lincoln Christian High School

Christian · K–12 · $9,600-$11,800/yr

Pius X High School (Lincoln)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,800/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 Lincoln breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

Nebraska 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.