Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Naperville?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. That's $6,200/year less, or $80,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $6,200/year less than Naperville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $80,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $8,700/year in Naperville.

How do Birmingham and Naperville 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). Naperville averages $13,800/year ($1,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Naperville

Birmingham averages $6,200/year less for private school (82% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $80,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $13,800/year in Naperville. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Naperville

$13,800

avg tuition/year

$1,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Naperville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$13,800/yr	-$6,200
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$8,700/yr	-$3,000
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$31,900/yr	-$16,400
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$11,700/yr	-$5,200
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$13,800/yr	-$6,200
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$16,600/yr	-$7,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Naperville

$179,400

Choosing Birmingham saves $80,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $161,200.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Naperville

Benet Academy (Lisle/Naperville area)

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Wheaton Academy

Christian · 9–12 · $18,200/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Naperville breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Illinois 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.