Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Columbia?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $700/year less than Columbia. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $9,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $5,900/year in Columbia.

How do Birmingham and Columbia 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). Columbia averages $8,300/year ($4,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Columbia

Birmingham averages $700/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $8,300/year in Columbia. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Columbia

$8,300

avg tuition/year

$4,050 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Columbia	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$8,300/yr	-$700
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$5,900/yr	-$200
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$19,500/yr	-$4,000
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$7,100/yr	-$600
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$8,300/yr	-$700
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$10,000/yr	-$900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Columbia

$107,900

Choosing Birmingham saves $9,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $18,200.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Columbia

Columbia Independent School

Independent · PK–8 · $12,800/yr

Calvary Lutheran School (Columbia MO)

Lutheran · PK–8 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Columbia breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Missouri 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.