Is private school cheaper in Madison or Missoula?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. That's $1,300/year less, or $16,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $1,300/year less than Madison. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $16,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,300/year in Madison, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Madison vs Missoula

Missoula averages $1,300/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Madison	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$9,300/yr	$8,000/yr	+$1,300
Religious Schools	$6,300/yr	$5,400/yr	+$900
Independent/Prep	$21,100/yr	$15,500/yr	+$5,600
Elementary (K-5)	$7,900/yr	$6,800/yr	+$1,100
Middle School (6-8)	$9,300/yr	$8,000/yr	+$1,300
High School (9-12)	$11,200/yr	$9,600/yr	+$1,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Madison

$120,900

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Missoula saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.

Sample Schools

Madison

Edgewood Campus School

Catholic · PK–8 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/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 Madison breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

Wisconsin 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.