Private School Cost: Missoula vs Trenton
Missoula averages $8,800/year less for private school (110% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $114,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $16,800/year in Trenton. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.
Missoula
MT
$8,000
avg tuition/year
Trenton
NJ
$16,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Missoula | Trenton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,000/yr | $16,800/yr | -$8,800 |
| Religious Schools | $5,400/yr | $10,800/yr | -$5,400 |
| Independent/Prep | $15,500/yr | $35,800/yr | -$20,300 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $6,800/yr | $14,300/yr | -$7,500 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,000/yr | $16,800/yr | -$8,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $9,600/yr | $20,200/yr | -$10,600 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Missoula
$104,000
Trenton
$218,400
Choosing Missoula saves $114,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $228,800.
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
Trenton
Notre Dame High School (Trenton NJ)
Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr
Trenton Catholic Academy
Catholic · K–12 · $12,400/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.