Is private school cheaper in Little Rock or Missoula?

Little Rock has lower average private school tuition at $6,600/year vs $8,000/year in Missoula. That's $1,400/year less, or $18,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Little Rock is $1,400/year less than Missoula. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $18,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,000/year in Little Rock, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Little Rock averages $6,600/year ($5,750 below average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Little Rock vs Missoula

Little Rock averages $1,400/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $18,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Little Rock is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,600/year vs $8,000/year in Missoula. Religious schools run $5,000/year on the low end.

Little Rock

$6,600

avg tuition/year

$5,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Little Rock	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$6,600/yr	$8,000/yr	-$1,400
Religious Schools	$5,000/yr	$5,400/yr	-$400
Independent/Prep	$13,100/yr	$15,500/yr	-$2,400
Elementary (K-5)	$5,600/yr	$6,800/yr	-$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$6,600/yr	$8,000/yr	-$1,400
High School (9-12)	$7,900/yr	$9,600/yr	-$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Little Rock

$85,800

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Little Rock saves $18,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $36,400.

Sample Schools

Little Rock

Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)

Independent · PK–12 · $11,800/yr

Mount St. Mary Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,200/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 Little Rock breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

Arkansas 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.