Is private school cheaper in Midland or Missoula?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $11,500/year in Midland. That's $3,500/year less, or $45,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $3,500/year less than Midland. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $45,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,800/year in Midland, $5,400/year in Missoula.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Midland averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Midland vs Missoula

Missoula averages $3,500/year less for private school (44% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $45,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $11,500/year in Midland. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Midland

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Midland	Missoula	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$8,000/yr	+$3,500
Religious Schools	$7,800/yr	$5,400/yr	+$2,400
Independent/Prep	$24,200/yr	$15,500/yr	+$8,700
Elementary (K-5)	$9,800/yr	$6,800/yr	+$3,000
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$8,000/yr	+$3,500
High School (9-12)	$13,800/yr	$9,600/yr	+$4,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Midland

$149,500

Missoula

$104,000

Choosing Missoula saves $45,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $91,000.

Sample Schools

Midland

Trinity School (Midland)

Independent · PK–12 · $15,200/yr

Midland Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $12,400-$14,800/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 Midland breakdown → Full Missoula breakdown →

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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.