Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Fort Lauderdale?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $11,700/year in Fort Lauderdale. That's $4,100/year less, or $53,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $4,100/year less than Fort Lauderdale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $53,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $8,100/year in Fort Lauderdale.

How do Birmingham and Fort Lauderdale 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). Fort Lauderdale averages $11,700/year ($650 below average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Fort Lauderdale

Birmingham averages $4,100/year less for private school (54% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $53,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $11,700/year in Fort Lauderdale. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Fort Lauderdale

$11,700

avg tuition/year

$650 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Fort Lauderdale	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$11,700/yr	-$4,100
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$8,100/yr	-$2,400
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$24,100/yr	-$8,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$9,900/yr	-$3,400
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$11,700/yr	-$4,100
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$14,000/yr	-$4,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Fort Lauderdale

$152,100

Choosing Birmingham saves $53,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $106,600.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Fort Lauderdale

Pine Crest School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800/yr

Cardinal Gibbons High School (Ft. Laud.)

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Westminster Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Fort Lauderdale breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Florida 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.