Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Jersey City?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. That's $13,300/year less, or $172,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $13,300/year less than Jersey City. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $172,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $13,500/year in Jersey City.

How do Birmingham and Jersey City 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). Jersey City averages $20,900/year ($8,550 above average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Jersey City

Birmingham averages $13,300/year less for private school (175% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $172,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $20,900/year in Jersey City. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Jersey City

$20,900

avg tuition/year

$8,550 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Jersey City	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$20,900/yr	-$13,300
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$13,500/yr	-$7,800
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$44,800/yr	-$29,300
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$17,800/yr	-$11,300
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$20,900/yr	-$13,300
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$25,100/yr	-$16,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Jersey City

$271,700

Choosing Birmingham saves $172,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $345,800.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Jersey City

Hudson Catholic Regional High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Saint Aloysius Academy (Jersey City)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Jersey City breakdown →

Alabama private school costs New Jersey 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.