Private School Cost: Missoula vs Sterling Heights
Missoula averages $1,300/year less for private school (16% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $16,900 per child.
Bottom Line
Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $9,300/year in Sterling Heights. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.
Missoula
MT
$8,000
avg tuition/year
Sterling Heights
MI
$9,300
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Missoula | Sterling Heights | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,000/yr | $9,300/yr | -$1,300 |
| Religious Schools | $5,400/yr | $6,400/yr | -$1,000 |
| Independent/Prep | $15,500/yr | $19,800/yr | -$4,300 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $6,800/yr | $7,900/yr | -$1,100 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,000/yr | $9,300/yr | -$1,300 |
| High School (9-12) | $9,600/yr | $11,200/yr | -$1,600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Missoula
$104,000
Sterling Heights
$120,900
Choosing Missoula saves $16,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $33,800.
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
Sterling Heights
De La Salle Collegiate High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $11,800/yr
Utica Community Christian Schools
Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr
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.