Is private school cheaper in Missoula or Murfreesboro?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $10,400/year in Murfreesboro. That's $2,400/year less, or $31,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $2,400/year less than Murfreesboro. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $31,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,400/year in Missoula, $7,400/year in Murfreesboro.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Missoula averages $8,000/year ($4,350 below average). Murfreesboro averages $10,400/year ($1,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Missoula vs Murfreesboro

Missoula averages $2,400/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $31,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $10,400/year in Murfreesboro. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Murfreesboro

$10,400

avg tuition/year

$1,950 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Missoula	Murfreesboro	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$10,400/yr	-$2,400
Religious Schools	$5,400/yr	$7,400/yr	-$2,000
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$22,100/yr	-$6,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$8,800/yr	-$2,000
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$10,400/yr	-$2,400
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$12,500/yr	-$2,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Missoula

$104,000

Murfreesboro

$135,200

Choosing Missoula saves $31,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $62,400.

Sample Schools

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

Murfreesboro

Siegel High School Prep

Independent · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Murfreesboro Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,800/yr

Full Missoula breakdown → Full Murfreesboro breakdown →

Montana private school costs Tennessee 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.