Is private school cheaper in Missoula or Syracuse?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $18,500/year in Syracuse. That's $10,500/year less, or $136,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $10,500/year less than Syracuse. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $136,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,400/year in Missoula, $10,600/year in Syracuse.

How do Missoula and Syracuse 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). Syracuse averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Missoula vs Syracuse

Missoula averages $10,500/year less for private school (131% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $136,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $18,500/year in Syracuse. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Syracuse

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Missoula	Syracuse	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$18,500/yr	-$10,500
Religious Schools	$5,400/yr	$10,600/yr	-$5,200
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$39,400/yr	-$23,900
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$15,700/yr	-$8,900
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$18,500/yr	-$10,500
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$22,200/yr	-$12,600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Missoula

$104,000

Syracuse

$240,500

Choosing Missoula saves $136,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $273,000.

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

Syracuse

Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse)

Catholic · 7–12 · $16,200/yr

Bishop Grimes Jr/Sr High School

Catholic · 7–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Missoula breakdown → Full Syracuse breakdown →

Montana private school costs New York 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.