Is private school cheaper in Missoula or Springfield?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $11,100/year in Springfield. That's $3,100/year less, or $40,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $3,100/year less than Springfield. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $40,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,400/year in Missoula, $7,000/year in Springfield.

How do Missoula and Springfield 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). Springfield averages $11,100/year ($1,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Missoula vs Springfield

Missoula averages $3,100/year less for private school (39% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $40,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $11,100/year in Springfield. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Springfield

$11,100

avg tuition/year

$1,250 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Missoula	Springfield	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$11,100/yr	-$3,100
Religious Schools	$5,400/yr	$7,000/yr	-$1,600
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$25,700/yr	-$10,200
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$9,400/yr	-$2,600
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$11,100/yr	-$3,100
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$13,300/yr	-$3,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Missoula

$104,000

Springfield

$144,300

Choosing Missoula saves $40,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $80,600.

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

Springfield

Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Springfield Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$10,600/yr

Full Missoula breakdown → Full Springfield breakdown →

Montana private school costs Illinois 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.