PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Centennial

Birmingham averages $6,100/year less for private school (80% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $79,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $13,700/year in Centennial. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

AL

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg
Lower cost

Centennial

CO

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category Birmingham Centennial Difference
All Schools (Average) $7,600/yr $13,700/yr -$6,100
Religious Schools $5,700/yr $8,900/yr -$3,200
Independent/Prep $15,500/yr $27,000/yr -$11,500
Elementary (K-5) $6,500/yr $11,600/yr -$5,100
Middle School (6-8) $7,600/yr $13,700/yr -$6,100
High School (9-12) $9,100/yr $16,400/yr -$7,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Centennial

$178,100

Choosing Birmingham saves $79,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $158,600.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Centennial

Arapahoe Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Cherry Creek Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,800-$12,200/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.