Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Birmingham
Birmingham averages $11,000/year less for private school (145% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $143,000 per child.
Bottom Line
Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.
Bellevue
WA
$18,600
avg tuition/year
Birmingham
AL
$7,600
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Bellevue | Birmingham | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $18,600/yr | $7,600/yr | +$11,000 |
| Religious Schools | $12,700/yr | $5,700/yr | +$7,000 |
| Independent/Prep | $39,700/yr | $15,500/yr | +$24,200 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $15,800/yr | $6,500/yr | +$9,300 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $18,600/yr | $7,600/yr | +$11,000 |
| High School (9-12) | $22,300/yr | $9,100/yr | +$13,200 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Bellevue
$241,800
Birmingham
$98,800
Choosing Birmingham saves $143,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $286,000.
Sample Schools
Bellevue
The Overlake School
Independent · 5–12 · $37,800/yr
Bellevue Christian School
Christian · PK–12 · $14,200/yr
Bellarmine Preparatory School (Tacoma)
Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr
Birmingham
Mountain Brook Academy
Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr
Indian Springs School
Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/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.