Is private school cheaper in Missoula or Washington DC?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $20,400/year less, or $265,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $20,400/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $265,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,400/year in Missoula, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Missoula and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Missoula vs Washington DC

Missoula averages $20,400/year less for private school (255% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $265,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Missoula	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$28,400/yr	-$20,400
Religious Schools	$5,400/yr	$15,200/yr	-$9,800
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$46,000/yr	-$30,500
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$23,000/yr	-$16,200
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$28,400/yr	-$20,400
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$35,500/yr	-$25,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Missoula

$104,000

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Missoula saves $265,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $530,400.

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

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Missoula breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Montana private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

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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.