Is private school cheaper in Annapolis or Birmingham?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $18,200/year in Annapolis. That's $10,600/year less, or $137,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $10,600/year less than Annapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $137,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,400/year in Annapolis, $5,700/year in Birmingham.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Annapolis averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Birmingham averages $7,600/year ($4,750 below average).

Private School Cost: Annapolis vs Birmingham

Birmingham averages $10,600/year less for private school (139% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $137,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $18,200/year in Annapolis. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Annapolis

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Annapolis	Birmingham	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$7,600/yr	+$10,600
Religious Schools	$12,400/yr	$5,700/yr	+$6,700
Independent/Prep	$38,400/yr	$15,500/yr	+$22,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$6,500/yr	+$9,000
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$7,600/yr	+$10,600
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$9,100/yr	+$12,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Annapolis

$236,600

Birmingham

$98,800

Choosing Birmingham saves $137,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $275,600.

Sample Schools

Annapolis

St. Anne's School of Annapolis

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–8 · $28,400/yr

St. Mary's High School (Annapolis)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,800/yr

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Full Annapolis breakdown → Full Birmingham breakdown →

Maryland 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.