Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Lowell?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $16,000/year less, or $208,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $16,000/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $208,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $12,800/year in Lowell.

How do Birmingham and Lowell 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). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Lowell

Birmingham averages $16,000/year less for private school (211% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $208,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$23,600/yr	-$16,000
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$12,800/yr	-$7,100
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$48,100/yr	-$32,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$20,100/yr	-$13,600
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$23,600/yr	-$16,000
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$28,300/yr	-$19,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Birmingham saves $208,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $416,000.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Massachusetts 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.