Is private school cheaper in Missoula or Waterbury?

Missoula has lower average private school tuition at $8,000/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. That's $12,500/year less, or $162,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Missoula is $12,500/year less than Waterbury. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $162,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,400/year in Missoula, $11,300/year in Waterbury.

How do Missoula and Waterbury 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). Waterbury averages $20,500/year ($8,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Missoula vs Waterbury

Missoula averages $12,500/year less for private school (156% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $162,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $20,500/year in Waterbury. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Missoula

$8,000

avg tuition/year

$4,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Waterbury

$20,500

avg tuition/year

$8,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Missoula	Waterbury	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$8,000/yr	$20,500/yr	-$12,500
Religious Schools	$5,400/yr	$11,300/yr	-$5,900
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$40,800/yr	-$25,300
Elementary (K-5)	$6,800/yr	$17,400/yr	-$10,600
Middle School (6-8)	$8,000/yr	$20,500/yr	-$12,500
High School (9-12)	$9,600/yr	$24,600/yr	-$15,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Missoula

$104,000

Waterbury

$266,500

Choosing Missoula saves $162,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $325,000.

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

Waterbury

Holy Cross High School (Waterbury)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Crosby High School (Waterbury)

Independent · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Full Missoula breakdown → Full Waterbury breakdown →

Montana private school costs Connecticut 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.