Is private school cheaper in Missoula or Sandy Springs?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $13,300/year in Sandy Springs. That's $5,300/year less, or $68,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Missoula over Sandy Springs?

Average tuition in Missoula is $5,300/year less than Sandy Springs. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $68,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,400/year in Missoula, $9,200/year in Sandy Springs.

How do Missoula and Sandy Springs 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). Sandy Springs averages $13,300/year ($950 above average).

Private School Cost: Missoula vs Sandy Springs

Missoula averages $5,300/year less for private school (66% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $68,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $13,300/year in Sandy Springs. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Sandy Springs

$13,300

avg tuition/year

$950 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Missoula	Sandy Springs	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$13,300/yr	-$5,300
Religious Schools	$5,400/yr	$9,200/yr	-$3,800
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$26,900/yr	-$11,400
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$11,300/yr	-$4,500
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$13,300/yr	-$5,300
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$16,000/yr	-$6,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Missoula

$104,000

Sandy Springs

$172,900

Choosing Missoula saves $68,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $137,800.

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

Sandy Springs

The Westminster Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400/yr

Holy Innocents' Episcopal School

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $30,200/yr

Full Missoula breakdown → Full Sandy Springs breakdown →

Montana private school costs Georgia 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.