Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Des Moines?

Des Moines has lower average private school tuition at $6,900/year vs $7,600/year in Birmingham. That's $700/year less, or $9,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Des Moines is $700/year less than Birmingham. 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, $4,800/year in Des Moines.

How do Birmingham and Des Moines 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). Des Moines averages $6,900/year ($5,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Des Moines

Des Moines averages $700/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $9,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Des Moines is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,900/year vs $7,600/year in Birmingham. Religious schools run $4,800/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Des Moines

$6,900

avg tuition/year

$5,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Des Moines	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$6,900/yr	+$700
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$4,800/yr	+$900
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$14,400/yr	+$1,100
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$5,900/yr	+$600
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$6,900/yr	+$700
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$8,300/yr	+$800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Des Moines

$89,700

Choosing Des Moines 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

Des Moines

Dowling Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,400/yr

Des Moines Christian School

Christian · PK–12 · $9,600-$12,000/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Des Moines breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Iowa 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.