Is private school cheaper in Bend or Tuscaloosa?

Tuscaloosa has lower average private school tuition at $7,300/year vs $13,100/year in Bend. That's $5,800/year less, or $75,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tuscaloosa is $5,800/year less than Bend. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $75,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,900/year in Bend, $5,400/year in Tuscaloosa.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Bend averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). Tuscaloosa averages $7,300/year ($5,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Bend vs Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa averages $5,800/year less for private school (79% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $75,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Tuscaloosa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,300/year vs $13,100/year in Bend. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Bend

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuscaloosa

$7,300

avg tuition/year

$5,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Bend	Tuscaloosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$7,300/yr	+$5,800
Religious Schools	$8,900/yr	$5,400/yr	+$3,500
Independent/Prep	$26,500/yr	$14,800/yr	+$11,700
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$6,200/yr	+$4,900
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$7,300/yr	+$5,800
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$8,800/yr	+$6,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Bend

$170,300

Tuscaloosa

$94,900

Choosing Tuscaloosa saves $75,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $150,800.

Sample Schools

Bend

Summit High School (Private Prep)

Independent · 9–12 · $12,800/yr

Cascade Christian High School (Bend)

Christian · 9–12 · $9,800-$12,200/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 Bend 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.