Is private school cheaper in Missoula or Rapid City?

Rapid City has lower average private school tuition at $5,800/year vs $8,000/year in Missoula. That's $2,200/year less, or $28,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Rapid City is $2,200/year less than Missoula. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $28,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,400/year in Missoula, $4,100/year in Rapid City.

How do Missoula and Rapid City 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). Rapid City averages $5,800/year ($6,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Missoula vs Rapid City

Rapid City averages $2,200/year less for private school (38% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $28,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Rapid City is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $5,800/year vs $8,000/year in Missoula. Religious schools run $4,100/year on the low end.

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Rapid City

$5,800

avg tuition/year

$6,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Missoula	Rapid City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$5,800/yr	+$2,200
Religious Schools	$5,400/yr	$4,100/yr	+$1,300
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$11,800/yr	+$3,700
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$4,900/yr	+$1,900
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$5,800/yr	+$2,200
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$7,000/yr	+$2,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Missoula

$104,000

Rapid City

$75,400

Choosing Rapid City saves $28,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $57,200.

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

Rapid City

Rapid City Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $8,600-$10,800/yr

St. Thomas More High School (Rapid City)

Catholic · 9–12 · $8,400/yr

Full Missoula breakdown → Full Rapid City breakdown →

Montana private school costs South Dakota 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.