Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Madison?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. That's $1,700/year less, or $22,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $1,700/year less than Madison. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $22,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $6,300/year in Madison.

How do Birmingham and Madison 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). Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Madison

Birmingham averages $1,700/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $22,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $9,300/year in Madison. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Madison	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$9,300/yr	-$1,700
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$6,300/yr	-$600
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$21,100/yr	-$5,600
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$7,900/yr	-$1,400
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$9,300/yr	-$1,700
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$11,200/yr	-$2,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Madison

$120,900

Choosing Birmingham saves $22,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $44,200.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Madison

Edgewood Campus School

Catholic · PK–8 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Madison breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Wisconsin 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.