Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Minneapolis?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. That's $7,400/year less, or $96,200 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $7,400/year less than Minneapolis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $96,200 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $9,200/year in Minneapolis.

How do Birmingham and Minneapolis 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). Minneapolis averages $15,000/year ($2,650 above average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Minneapolis

Birmingham averages $7,400/year less for private school (97% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $96,200 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $15,000/year in Minneapolis. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Minneapolis

$15,000

avg tuition/year

$2,650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Minneapolis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$15,000/yr	-$7,400
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$9,200/yr	-$3,500
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$27,500/yr	-$12,000
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$12,200/yr	-$5,700
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$15,000/yr	-$7,400
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$18,500/yr	-$9,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Minneapolis

$195,000

Choosing Birmingham saves $96,200 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $192,400.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Minneapolis

Blake School

Independent · PK–12 · $34,800-$37,200/yr

Breck School

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Minnehaha Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $16,200-$17,800/yr

De La Salle High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Minneapolis breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Minnesota private school costs

Related Comparisons

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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.