Is private school cheaper in Missoula or Peoria?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $9,700/year in Peoria. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $1,700/year less than Peoria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,400/year in Missoula, $7,300/year in Peoria.

How do Missoula and Peoria 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). Peoria averages $9,700/year ($2,650 below average).

Private School Cost: Missoula vs Peoria

Missoula averages $1,700/year less for private school (21% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $9,700/year in Peoria. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Peoria

$9,700

avg tuition/year

$2,650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Missoula	Peoria	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$9,700/yr	-$1,700
Religious Schools	$5,400/yr	$7,300/yr	-$1,900
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$18,500/yr	-$3,000
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$8,200/yr	-$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$9,700/yr	-$1,700
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$11,600/yr	-$2,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Missoula

$104,000

Peoria

$126,100

Choosing Missoula saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

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

Peoria

Sandra Day O'Connor Prep (Peoria)

Independent · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Deer Valley Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,800/yr

Full Missoula breakdown → Full Peoria breakdown →

Montana private school costs Arizona 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.