Is private school cheaper in Missoula or Thornton?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. That's $5,100/year less, or $66,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $5,100/year less than Thornton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $66,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,400/year in Missoula, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Missoula and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Missoula vs Thornton

Missoula averages $5,100/year less for private school (64% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $66,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Missoula	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$13,100/yr	-$5,100
Religious Schools	$5,400/yr	$8,500/yr	-$3,100
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$25,700/yr	-$10,200
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$11,100/yr	-$4,300
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$13,100/yr	-$5,100
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$15,700/yr	-$6,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Missoula

$104,000

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Missoula saves $66,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $132,600.

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

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Missoula breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

Montana private school costs Colorado 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.