Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Cambridge?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. That's $24,400/year less, or $317,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $24,400/year less than Cambridge. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $317,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $17,300/year in Cambridge.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Birmingham averages $7,600/year ($4,750 below average). Cambridge averages $32,000/year ($19,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Cambridge

Birmingham averages $24,400/year less for private school (321% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $317,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $32,000/year in Cambridge. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Cambridge

$32,000

avg tuition/year

$19,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Cambridge	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$32,000/yr	-$24,400
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$17,300/yr	-$11,600
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$65,000/yr	-$49,500
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$27,200/yr	-$20,700
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$32,000/yr	-$24,400
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$38,400/yr	-$29,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Cambridge

$416,000

Choosing Birmingham saves $317,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $634,400.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Cambridge

Cambridge School of Weston

Independent · 9–12 · $59,400/yr

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Independent · PK–12 · $58,800/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Cambridge breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Massachusetts 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.