Private School Cost: Missoula vs San Francisco
Missoula averages $26,200/year less for private school (328% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $340,600 per child.
Bottom Line
Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $34,200/year in San Francisco. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.
Missoula
MT
$8,000
avg tuition/year
San Francisco
CA
$34,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Missoula | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,000/yr | $34,200/yr | -$26,200 |
| Religious Schools | $5,400/yr | $16,000/yr | -$10,600 |
| Independent/Prep | $15,500/yr | $52,000/yr | -$36,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $6,800/yr | $28,000/yr | -$21,200 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,000/yr | $34,200/yr | -$26,200 |
| High School (9-12) | $9,600/yr | $42,000/yr | -$32,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Missoula
$104,000
San Francisco
$444,600
Choosing Missoula saves $340,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $681,200.
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
San Francisco
San Francisco University High School
Independent · 9–12 · $56,830/yr
The Urban School of San Francisco
Independent · 9–12 · $56,200/yr
Katherine Delmar Burke School
Independent · K–8 · $48,900/yr
St. Ignatius College Preparatory
Catholic · 9–12 · $24,600/yr
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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.