Is private school cheaper in Amarillo or Birmingham?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $10,100/year in Amarillo. That's $2,500/year less, or $32,500 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Birmingham over Amarillo?

Average tuition in Birmingham is $2,500/year less than Amarillo. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $32,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $6,900/year in Amarillo, $5,700/year in Birmingham.

How do Amarillo and Birmingham private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Amarillo averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average). Birmingham averages $7,600/year ($4,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Amarillo vs Birmingham

Birmingham averages $2,500/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $32,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $10,100/year in Amarillo. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Amarillo

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Amarillo	Birmingham	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$10,100/yr	$7,600/yr	+$2,500
Religious Schools	$6,900/yr	$5,700/yr	+$1,200
Independent/Prep	$21,300/yr	$15,500/yr	+$5,800
Elementary (K-5)	$8,600/yr	$6,500/yr	+$2,100
Middle School (6-8)	$10,100/yr	$7,600/yr	+$2,500
High School (9-12)	$12,100/yr	$9,100/yr	+$3,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Amarillo

$131,300

Birmingham

$98,800

Choosing Birmingham saves $32,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $65,000.

Sample Schools

Amarillo

Amarillo Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $9,400-$11,200/yr

St. Mary's Academy (Amarillo)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Full Amarillo breakdown → Full Birmingham breakdown →

Texas private school costs Alabama 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.