Private School Cost: Missoula vs Stockton
Missoula averages $5,800/year less for private school (73% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $75,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $13,800/year in Stockton. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.
Missoula
MT
$8,000
avg tuition/year
Stockton
CA
$13,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Missoula | Stockton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,000/yr | $13,800/yr | -$5,800 |
| Religious Schools | $5,400/yr | $9,000/yr | -$3,600 |
| Independent/Prep | $15,500/yr | $26,800/yr | -$11,300 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $6,800/yr | $11,700/yr | -$4,900 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,000/yr | $13,800/yr | -$5,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $9,600/yr | $16,600/yr | -$7,000 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Missoula
$104,000
Stockton
$179,400
Choosing Missoula saves $75,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $150,800.
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
Stockton
St. Mary's High School (Stockton)
Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr
Stockton Christian School
Christian · PK–12 · $8,600-$10,200/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.