Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Lafayette?

Lafayette has lower average private school tuition at $6,200/year vs $7,600/year in Birmingham. That's $1,400/year less, or $18,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Lafayette is $1,400/year less than Birmingham. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $18,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $4,600/year in Lafayette.

How do Birmingham and Lafayette 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). Lafayette averages $6,200/year ($6,150 below average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Lafayette

Lafayette averages $1,400/year less for private school (23% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $18,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Lafayette is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $6,200/year vs $7,600/year in Birmingham. Religious schools run $4,600/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lafayette

$6,200

avg tuition/year

$6,150 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Lafayette	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$6,200/yr	+$1,400
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$4,600/yr	+$1,100
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$14,900/yr	+$600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$5,300/yr	+$1,200
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$6,200/yr	+$1,400
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$7,400/yr	+$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Lafayette

$80,600

Choosing Lafayette saves $18,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $36,400.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Lafayette

Teurlings Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,600/yr

Ascension Episcopal School (Lafayette)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $14,800/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Lafayette breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Louisiana 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.