Is private school cheaper in Missoula or Palmdale?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. That's $6,900/year less, or $89,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $6,900/year less than Palmdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $89,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,400/year in Missoula, $9,700/year in Palmdale.

How do Missoula and Palmdale 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). Palmdale averages $14,900/year ($2,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Missoula vs Palmdale

Missoula averages $6,900/year less for private school (86% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $89,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $14,900/year in Palmdale. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Palmdale

$14,900

avg tuition/year

$2,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Missoula	Palmdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$14,900/yr	-$6,900
Religious Schools	$5,400/yr	$9,700/yr	-$4,300
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$29,000/yr	-$13,500
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$12,700/yr	-$5,900
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$14,900/yr	-$6,900
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$17,900/yr	-$8,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Missoula

$104,000

Palmdale

$193,700

Choosing Missoula saves $89,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $179,400.

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

Palmdale

Palmdale Aerospace Academy (Private)

Independent · K–12 · $10,200/yr

St. Mary School (Palmdale)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$9,800/yr

Full Missoula breakdown → Full Palmdale breakdown →

Montana private school costs California 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.