Is private school cheaper in Missoula or Sunnyvale?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $13,600/year less, or $176,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $13,600/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $176,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,400/year in Missoula, $14,100/year in Sunnyvale.

How do Missoula and Sunnyvale 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). Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Missoula vs Sunnyvale

Missoula averages $13,600/year less for private school (170% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $176,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Missoula	Sunnyvale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$21,600/yr	-$13,600
Religious Schools	$5,400/yr	$14,100/yr	-$8,700
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$42,100/yr	-$26,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$18,400/yr	-$11,600
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$21,600/yr	-$13,600
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$25,900/yr	-$16,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Missoula

$104,000

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Choosing Missoula saves $176,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $353,600.

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

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/yr

Full Missoula breakdown → Full Sunnyvale breakdown →

Montana private school costs California 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.