Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Frederick?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $9,100/year less, or $118,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $9,100/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $118,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $11,300/year in Frederick.

How do Birmingham and Frederick 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). Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Frederick

Birmingham averages $9,100/year less for private school (120% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $118,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Frederick	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$16,700/yr	-$9,100
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$11,300/yr	-$5,600
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$35,100/yr	-$19,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$14,200/yr	-$7,700
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$16,700/yr	-$9,100
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$20,000/yr	-$10,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Frederick

$217,100

Choosing Birmingham saves $118,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $236,600.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Frederick breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Maryland 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.