Is private school cheaper in Bellevue or Tuscaloosa?

Tuscaloosa has lower average private school tuition at $7,300/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. That's $11,300/year less, or $146,900 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Tuscaloosa over Bellevue?

Average tuition in Tuscaloosa is $11,300/year less than Bellevue. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $146,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,700/year in Bellevue, $5,400/year in Tuscaloosa.

How do Bellevue and Tuscaloosa private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bellevue averages $18,600/year ($6,250 above average). Tuscaloosa averages $7,300/year ($5,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Bellevue vs Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa averages $11,300/year less for private school (155% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $146,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Tuscaloosa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,300/year vs $18,600/year in Bellevue. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Bellevue

$18,600

avg tuition/year

$6,250 above national avg

Tuscaloosa

$7,300

avg tuition/year

$5,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bellevue	Tuscaloosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,600/yr	$7,300/yr	+$11,300
Religious Schools	$12,700/yr	$5,400/yr	+$7,300
Independent/Prep	$39,700/yr	$14,800/yr	+$24,900
Elementary (K-5)	$15,800/yr	$6,200/yr	+$9,600
Middle School (6-8)	$18,600/yr	$7,300/yr	+$11,300
High School (9-12)	$22,300/yr	$8,800/yr	+$13,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bellevue

$241,800

Tuscaloosa

$94,900

Choosing Tuscaloosa saves $146,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $293,800.

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

Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

Christian Academy of Tuscaloosa

Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,400/yr

Full Bellevue breakdown → Full Tuscaloosa breakdown →

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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.