Private School Cost in Montana (2026)
Private schools in Montana average $8,150/year. 34% below national avg. Religious schools run $5,500/year; independent schools average $15,800/year.
State Average
$8,150
per year
Monthly Est.
$679
per month
Private Schools
110
in Montana
vs National
-$4,200
per year
Tuition by School Type in Montana
Average annual tuition, 2026 NCES data
Religious Schools
Catholic, Christian, Jewish, and other faith-based schools.
$5,500/yr
-31% vs national ($8,000)
Independent Schools
Non-religious private day schools and prep schools.
$15,800/yr
-37% vs national ($25,000)
Montessori Schools
Child-led learning programs, typically PK–8.
$10,200/yr
-18% vs national ($12,500)
All Private Schools (Avg)
Blended average across all types.
$8,150/yr
-34% vs national ($12,350)
Cost Range in Montana
25th Percentile
$4,500
More affordable options
State Average
$8,150
Typical school
75th Percentile
$12,800
Premium schools
Most Montana private schools fall between $4,500 and $12,800/year. Individual schools vary — always contact the school directly for exact tuition figures.
Can I Afford Private School in Montana?
Enter your household income to see how Montana's average tuition fits your budget.
Private vs Public in Montana
Private School (avg)
$8,150
per year, out-of-pocket
- • Avg class size: 12–15 students
- • Financial aid available (27% of students)
- • Specialized curriculum options
Public School
$12,730
per pupil, taxpayer-funded
- • Avg class size: 16–22 students
- • Free to attend (hidden costs: $1,500–$5,000/yr)
- • Quality varies widely by district
Montana spends $12,730/pupil in public schools (state average). Private schools charge an average of $8,150/year — a gap of $4,580/year less than public per-pupil spending.
Financial Aid in Montana
About 27% of private school students nationally receive need-based financial aid, averaging 48% of tuition. At Montana's average of $8,150/year, that's roughly $3,900/year in aid for qualifying families. Most Montana private schools use FAST or SSS applications — ask the admissions office to start the process.
Learn more about private school financial aid →Compare Other States
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does private school cost in Montana?
Private school in Montana averages $8,150/year — 34% below the national average of $12,350/year. Religious schools average $5,500/year; independent schools average $15,800/year. Montana has approximately 110 private schools. Source: NCES 2023–24.
What is the average private school tuition in Montana?
The average private school tuition in Montana is $8,150/year. That breaks down to roughly $679/month on a 12-month payment plan. Religious schools run lower at $5,500/year; independent schools average $15,800/year.
How does Montana private school cost compare to the national average?
Montana private school tuition averages $8,150/year, which is 34% below the national average ($12,350/year). Montana is one of the more affordable states for private education, with a higher share of parish-subsidized religious schools keeping costs down.
How many private schools are in Montana?
Montana has approximately 110 private schools. These include religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, and other faith-based) schools, independent schools, Montessori programs, and boarding schools. Source: NCES Private School Universe Survey.
Can I afford private school in Montana?
A common guideline is to keep private school tuition under 10–15% of gross household income. At Montana's average of $8,150/year, that means a household income of $68,000+ is generally needed without financial stress. About 27% of private school families receive need-based aid averaging 48% of tuition — contact the school's admissions office to learn about aid options.
Private School Calculator
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K–12 Total Cost
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Financial Aid Calculator
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All States Comparison
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