Is private school cheaper in Missoula or San Jose?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. That's $17,200/year less, or $223,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $17,200/year less than San Jose. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $223,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,400/year in Missoula, $13,800/year in San Jose.

How do Missoula and San Jose 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). San Jose averages $25,200/year ($12,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Missoula vs San Jose

Missoula averages $17,200/year less for private school (215% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $223,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $25,200/year in San Jose. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

San Jose

$25,200

avg tuition/year

$12,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Missoula	San Jose	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$25,200/yr	-$17,200
Religious Schools	$5,400/yr	$13,800/yr	-$8,400
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$40,500/yr	-$25,000
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$20,500/yr	-$13,700
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$25,200/yr	-$17,200
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$31,200/yr	-$21,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Missoula

$104,000

San Jose

$327,600

Choosing Missoula saves $223,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $447,200.

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 Jose

Harker School

Independent · K–12 · $48,200-$51,600/yr

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,800/yr

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,400/yr

Presentation High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $20,800/yr

Full Missoula breakdown → Full San Jose breakdown →

Montana private school costs California private school costs

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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.