Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Chicago
Birmingham averages $10,800/year less for private school (142% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $140,400 per child.
Bottom Line
Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $18,400/year in Chicago. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.
Birmingham
AL
$7,600
avg tuition/year
Chicago
IL
$18,400
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Birmingham | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $7,600/yr | $18,400/yr | -$10,800 |
| Religious Schools | $5,700/yr | $10,200/yr | -$4,500 |
| Independent/Prep | $15,500/yr | $32,000/yr | -$16,500 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $6,500/yr | $15,000/yr | -$8,500 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $7,600/yr | $18,400/yr | -$10,800 |
| High School (9-12) | $9,100/yr | $22,800/yr | -$13,700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Birmingham
$98,800
Chicago
$239,200
Choosing Birmingham saves $140,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $280,800.
Sample Schools
Birmingham
Mountain Brook Academy
Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr
Indian Springs School
Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr
Chicago
Latin School of Chicago
Independent · JK–12 · $38,040/yr
University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Independent · N–12 · $35,700-$38,200/yr
Francis W. Parker School
Independent · JK–12 · $36,800/yr
St. Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)
Catholic · 9–12 · $19,400/yr
Related Comparisons
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.