Montana Private School Trends (10-Year)

133

Private Schools

+9.0% (+11 schools) 10-yr

12,707

Students

+23.3% (+2,398 students) 10-yr

$8,021

Avg. Tuition

+20.3% (+$1,356) 10-yr

Avg. Class Size

+8.3% (+1 student) 10-yr

17%

Students of Color

-10.5% (-2.0 pp) 10-yr

11:1

Student-Teacher Ratio

+10.0% (+1.0) 10-yr

Enrollment & Diversity

Trends in Total Number of Private Schools

Year	Montana (MT) Total	US Avg per State
2025	134	671
2024	142	703
2023	127	665
2022	113	612
2021	118	637
2020	132	684
2019	128	665
2018	129	677
2017	120	631
2016	122	644
2015	122	683

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Private schools up 12 in Montana, from 122 in 2016 to 134 in 2025.

# Students

12,707 Students

111,484 Students
avg. per state

View Largest Montana Private Schools

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

Trends in Total Number of Private School Students

Year	Montana (MT) Total	US Avg per State
2025	12,783	111,945
2024	12,259	113,628
2023	11,110	108,484
2022	10,741	104,892
2021	10,833	106,817
2020	10,940	109,411
2019	10,767	108,956
2018	10,728	109,868
2017	10,332	106,255
2016	10,748	107,443
2015	10,309	108,505

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Private enrollment up 19% in Montana, rising from 10,748 students in 2016 to 12,783 in 2025.

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends

Grade	Montana
Nursery	170
Pre-K	2,218
Kind	1,078
1	874
2	873
3	816
4	890
5	867
6	895
7	844
8	746
9	656
10	603
11	578
12	522
Not Listed	77

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Kindergarten has 1,078 students making it the largest private-school grade in Montana, ahead of Pre-K at 2,218 and all other grades.

Average School Size

97 Students

179 Students

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

Trends in Average School Size

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	97	179
2024	87	172
2023	88	174
2022	97	185
2021	93	180
2020	84	171
2019	85	175
2018	84	172
2017	88	180
2016	90	178
2015	85	167

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

School size up 7 students in Montana, rising from 90 in 2016 to 97 in 2025 while the national average fell from 178 to 179.

% Average Students of Color

17%

34%

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

Percentage of Students of Color Trends (2015-2025)

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	17%	34%
2024	18%	34%
2023	20%	33%
2022	22%	33%
2021	22%	32%
2020	22%	32%
2019	20%	31%
2018	19%	31%
2017	18%	32%
2016	18%	32%
2015	19%	32%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Students of color down 5 points in Montana private schools, from 22% in 2021 to 17% in 2025, while the national share was 34%.

Academics

# Teachers

1,175 Teachers

509,242 Teachers

Average Student-Teacher Ratio

11:1

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2015-2025)

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	11:1	11:1
2024	11:1	11:1
2023	10:1	11:1
2022	11:1	11:1
2021	11:1	11:1
2020	10:1	12:1
2019	11:1	12:1
2018	11:1	12:1
2017	10:1	12:1
2016	10:1	12:1
2015	10:1	12:1

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Student-teacher ratio steady at 11:1 in Montana private schools, matching the national 11:1 in 2024 and 2025 after starting at 10:1 in 2016.

% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree

47%

55%

View Montana Private Schools with the Most Educated Faculty

View Data

Percentage of Faculty With Advanced Degrees Trends (2016-2025)

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	46%	55%
2024	47%	54%
2023	46%	54%
2022	46%	54%
2021	45%	54%
2020	45%	54%
2019	47%	53%
2018	43%	53%
2017	49%	53%
2016	49%	52%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Advanced degrees down 3 points in Montana private schools, from 49% in 2016 to 46% in 2025, while the national figure rose from 52% to 55%.

Average Class Size

13 students

16 students

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

Class Size Trends (2015-2025)

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	13	15
2024	14	15
2023	14	15
2022	14	15
2021	13	15
2020	13	15
2019	13	15
2018	13	15
2017	12	15
2016	12	15
2015	12	15

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Class size stayed smaller in Montana private schools, at 12 in 2016 and 13 in 2025 versus 15 nationally.

Average Number of AP Courses

9 courses

13 courses

Tuition & Aid

Average Yearly Tuition Cost

$8,021

$13,779

View Montana Private Schools By Tuition Cost

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

Tuition Cost Trends (2015-2025)

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	$8,677	$13,694
2024	$8,657	$13,340
2023	$8,514	$12,825
2022	$8,170	$12,321
2021	$8,068	$12,072
2020	$7,959	$11,784
2019	$7,877	$11,547
2018	$7,776	$11,280
2017	$7,541	$10,994
2016	$7,153	$10,614
2015	$6,665	$10,195

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Tuition up 21% in Montana, rising from $7,153 in 2016 to $8,677 in 2025.

Average % on Financial Aid

41%

35%

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

Percent on Financial Aid Trends (2015-2025)

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	40%	34%
2024	39%	34%
2023	38%	34%
2022	39%	33%
2021	39%	33%
2020	37%	32%
2019	32%	31%
2018	31%	30%
2017	30%	30%
2016	31%	29%
2015	29%	28%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Financial aid higher in Montana private schools rose from 31% in 2016 to 40% in 2025, above the national 34%.

Average Financial Aid Grant

$2,802

$7,693

View Data

Financial Aid Grant Trends (2016-2025)

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	$3,083	$7,073
2024	$3,248	$6,930
2023	$3,263	$6,469
2022	$2,727	$6,289
2021	$2,513	$6,055
2020	$2,525	$5,921
2019	$2,420	$5,795
2018	$2,282	$5,456
2017	$2,182	$5,319
2016	$2,348	$5,105

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Grant aid up 31% in Montana, from $2,348 in 2016 to $3,083 in 2025.

Average Acceptance Rate

88%

85%

View Most Selective Private Schools in Montana

View Data

Acceptance Rate Trends (2016-2025)

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	86%	85%
2024	86%	85%
2023	86%	85%
2022	85%	85%
2021	86%	85%
2020	86%	85%
2019	84%	85%
2018	80%	85%
2017	83%	85%
2016	81%	85%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Acceptance rate up 5 points in Montana, rising from 81% in 2016 to 86% in 2025 while the national rate stayed at 85%.

Students by Ethnicity

0.56

0.65

View Montana Private Schools Minority Statistics

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

Diversity Score Trends

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	0.56	0.65
2024	0.53	0.65
2023	0.56	0.65
2022	0.57	0.64
2021	0.57	0.64
2020	0.57	0.64
2019	0.56	0.63
2018	0.56	0.63
2017	0.54	0.61
2016	0.53	0.61
2015	0.53	0.61

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Diversity score still lower in Montana private schools at 0.56 in 2025, compared with 0.65 nationally.

# American Indian Students

750 Students

29,810 Students

% American Indian Students

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

Percentage of Private School Students of American Indian Trends

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	6%	1%
2024	6%	1%
2023	7%	1%
2022	10%	2%
2021	10%	1%
2020	11%	1%
2019	11%	1%
2018	11%	2%
2017	10%	1%
2016	10%	1%
2015	11%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

American Indian share fell 5 points in Montana private schools, from 11% in 2020 to 6% in 2025.

# Asian Students

206 Students

264,326 Students

% Asian Students

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

Asian Student Percentage Trends

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	2%	5%
2024	2%	5%
2023	2%	5%
2022	2%	4%
2021	2%	4%
2020	2%	4%
2019	1%	4%
2018	1%	4%
2017	1%	4%
2016	1%	4%
2015	1%	4%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Asian enrollment up 1 point in Montana private schools, from 1% in 2016 to 2% in 2025, while the U.S. rose from 4% to 5%.

# Hispanic Students

255 Students

506,562 Students

% Hispanic Students

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	2%	9%
2024	2%	9%
2023	2%	9%
2022	2%	8%
2021	2%	9%
2020	2%	9%
2019	2%	8%
2018	2%	8%
2017	2%	8%
2016	2%	8%
2015	2%	8%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# Black Students

139 Students

415,491 Students

% Black Students

View Data

Black Student Percentage Trends

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	1%	7%
2024	1%	7%
2023	1%	8%
2022	1%	7%
2021	1%	7%
2020	1%	8%
2017	1%	7%
2016	1%	7%
2015	1%	8%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

# White Students

7,654 Students

2,925,942 Students

% White Students

60%

52%

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Trends

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	60%	52%
2024	64%	52%
2023	61%	52%
2022	59%	54%
2021	60%	54%
2020	61%	54%
2019	61%	56%
2018	62%	56%
2017	63%	58%
2016	64%	58%
2015	64%	58%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

White share down 4 points in Montana private schools, from 64% in 2016 to 60% in 2025.

# Hawaiian Students

18 Students

20,065 Students

% Hawaiian Students

<1%

# Others Students

3,733 Students

1,473,041 Students

% of Others Students

29%

26%

View Data

Showing 2016–2025. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

Year	Montana (MT) Avg	National
2025	29%	26%
2024	25%	26%
2023	27%	25%
2022	26%	25%
2021	25%	25%
2020	23%	24%
2019	25%	24%
2018	24%	23%
2017	23%	22%
2016	22%	22%
2015	21%	21%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full State Data: Full State Dataset CSV | Full State Dataset XML | Full State Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Other-race enrollment up 7 points in Montana private schools, rising from 22% in 2016 to 29% in 2025.

All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars & Sports

Average Number of Extracurriculars

7 extracurriculars

9 extracurriculars

Average Number of Sports

5 sports

7 sports

Download state snapshot: CSV | XML | JSON Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Montana?

The top-ranked private schools in Montana include Bozeman Field School, Billings Catholic Schools, and Intermountain.

How many private schools are located in Montana?

There are 133 private schools are located in Montana.

How much do private schools cost in Montana?

The average private school tuition in Montana is $7,315 for elementary schools and $8,527 for high schools

How diverse are private schools in Montana?

Approximately 17% of students in Montana private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).

What percentage of students in Montana go to private school?

8% of all K-12 students in Montana attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).

What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Montana?

61% of private schools in Montana are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.

Which private schools in Montana are often viewed compared to one another?

Popular comparisons of private schools in Montana include: Hearts & Hands Montessori vs. Highland Montessori School, Montana Academy vs. Summit Preparatory School, Mount Ellis Academy vs. Petra Academy

Recent Articles

October 27, 2026

When a Private School Changes Head of School

A private school leadership change can raise important questions. Learn how to evaluate head of school transitions, identify warning signs, and protect your child's educational experience before enrolling confidently.

October 27, 2026

Private School Financial Aid Renewal: Could Awards Shrink?

Could your private school financial aid shrink next year? Learn why awards change, how income and school budgets affect renewal, and what parents can do to protect affordability long-term.

October 27, 2026

Need-Blind vs. Need-Aware Private School Admissions

Understand how need-blind and need-aware private school admissions affect acceptance decisions, financial aid eligibility, and affordability, with practical guidance to help parents compare schools, ask questions, and plan confidently ahead.