Private School Cost: Missoula vs Wilmington
Missoula averages $2,000/year less for private school (25% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $26,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Missoula is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $8,000/year vs $10,000/year in Wilmington. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.
Missoula
MT
$8,000
avg tuition/year
Wilmington
NC
$10,000
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Missoula | Wilmington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $8,000/yr | $10,000/yr | -$2,000 |
| Religious Schools | $5,400/yr | $7,100/yr | -$1,700 |
| Independent/Prep | $15,500/yr | $21,100/yr | -$5,600 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $6,800/yr | $8,500/yr | -$1,700 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $8,000/yr | $10,000/yr | -$2,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $9,600/yr | $12,000/yr | -$2,400 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Missoula
$104,000
Wilmington
$130,000
Choosing Missoula saves $26,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $52,000.
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
Wilmington
Cape Fear Academy
Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr
Wilmington Christian Academy
Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/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.