Is private school cheaper in Missoula or Port St. Lucie?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $9,600/year in Port St. Lucie. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Missoula over Port St. Lucie?

Average tuition in Missoula is $1,600/year less than Port St. Lucie. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,400/year in Missoula, $6,600/year in Port St. Lucie.

How do Missoula and Port St. Lucie 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). Port St. Lucie averages $9,600/year ($2,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Missoula vs Port St. Lucie

Missoula averages $1,600/year less for private school (20% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $9,600/year in Port St. Lucie. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Port St. Lucie

$9,600

avg tuition/year

$2,750 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Missoula	Port St. Lucie	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$9,600/yr	-$1,600
Religious Schools	$5,400/yr	$6,600/yr	-$1,200
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$19,800/yr	-$4,300
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$8,200/yr	-$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$9,600/yr	-$1,600
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$11,500/yr	-$1,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Missoula

$104,000

Port St. Lucie

$124,800

Choosing Missoula saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

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

Port St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

Saint Bernadette School (PSL)

Catholic · K–8 · $7,600-$9,400/yr

Full Missoula breakdown → Full Port St. Lucie breakdown →

Montana private school costs Florida 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.