Is private school cheaper in Missoula or Salt Lake City?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $9,400/year in Salt Lake City. That's $1,400/year less, or $18,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $1,400/year less than Salt Lake City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $18,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,400/year in Missoula, $6,500/year in Salt Lake City.

How do Missoula and Salt Lake 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). Salt Lake City averages $9,400/year ($2,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Missoula vs Salt Lake City

Missoula averages $1,400/year less for private school (18% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $18,200 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Salt Lake City

$9,400

avg tuition/year

$2,950 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Missoula	Salt Lake City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,400
Religious Schools	$5,400/yr	$6,500/yr	-$1,100
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$18,700/yr	-$3,200
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$8,000/yr	-$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,400
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$11,300/yr	-$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Missoula

$104,000

Salt Lake City

$122,200

Choosing Missoula saves $18,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $36,400.

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

Salt Lake City

Judge Memorial Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Utah Private Academy

Independent · K–12 · $9,800-$12,400/yr

Full Missoula breakdown → Full Salt Lake City breakdown →

Montana private school costs Utah 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.